Gloves are off

Gloves are off

Gloves are off

Gloves are coming off

People are beginning to behave in a more hostile or tenacious way. Usually used to describe a dispute or fight. Well, the gloves are off now—mom and Aunt Gertrude are screaming in each other in the kitchen.

Fig. There is going to be a serious dispute. (As if boxers had removed their gloves in order to inflict more damage. See also take the gloves off.) Bob got mad and yelled, "Ok, the gloves are off!" and started cussing and pounding the table.