To Pull or Not to Pull Punches
2024-04-28
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1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
2Sometimes in life we have to break bad or difficult news to friends, family members, work partners and sometimes even strangers.
3Some people may do this indirectly.
4They may want to soften the immediate effect the news will have on the person.
5We might tell only part of the truth.
6When we do this, we are "pulling our punches"
7But there are other times when we do the opposite.
8We speak directly, presenting the hard facts and little else.
9We might do this in emergencies, when facing danger, or other times when the complete truth is required.
10In these cases, we are "not pulling any punches."
11When someone does not pull any punches, they say things that might be hurtful or frightening.
12They know the information may be troubling.
13But, the information is usually thought to be more important than the unease it may cause.
14If you don't pull punches, you speak your mind.
15You tell it like it is.
16You don't mince words or sugar-coat the truth.
17Mincing words means to soften or weaken your words especially for the sake of being polite.
18Some people mince words when they are afraid to tell someone the truth.
19And if you sugarcoat something, you make it sound more pleasant or acceptable than it really is.
20People who don't pull punches can also be called straight-talking, blunt, or frank.
21In fact, sometimes we use "blunt" and "frank" when we break bad or difficult news to someone.
22We might say, "Look, I need to be frank with you," or "I hate to be blunt but ..." and then you're blunt. You don't pull your punches.
23When talking with this kind of person, we always know where we stand.
24We never have to guess.
25This can be a good thing.
26However, when we are on the receiving end of a person who doesn't pull any punches, we also need a thick skin.
27Much of what we may hear might hurt a little ... or a lot.
28Just as a thick skin protects some animals from attacks, it also protects people from hard, cold truths that are hard to hear.
29But with a "thick skin," we can better absorb the "punch" of tough news.
30When you don't pull any punches, you also act without restraint or limitations.
31You don't hold back. You are all in.
32The phrase "to not pull any punches" comes from boxing.
33If you pull a punch in the boxing ring, it means you restrain your power.
34You purposely hit your opponent with less force than is possible.
35Word experts say that in the 1930s people began to use this phrase more widely.
36These days you can pull your punches or not pull any punches is just about any situation.
37Now let's hear two friends use this phrase and related terms in a short conversation.
38A: Okay, here is my movie script.
39B: Oh wow! You finished it! Congrats!
40A: Now I really need some outside opinions. I'm way too close to the material.
41B: That is a great idea. But I don't think I'm the person to ask.
42A: Why? You have really good taste in films, and I know you'll tell me like it is.
43B: That's the problem. I am brutally honest. It's impossible for me to pull any punches.
44A: That's exactly what I need - honesty! Tell me what you really think. Don't hold anything back.
45B: You say that now. But when you hear my criticisms, you may feel differently.
46A: No way. I have a really thick skin. It's impossible for a little criticism to hurt my feelings.
47B: Okay, I'll read it and give you my notes. But the last person who asked me to read her manuscript still isn't talking to me.
48A: Oh. Wow. You really don't pull any punches, do you?
49B: You've been warned.
50Do you have a similar expression in your language? Let us know in the comments section or send us an email at LearningEnglish@voanews.com.
51And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories.
52Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo.
1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English. 2Sometimes in life we have to break bad or difficult news to friends, family members, work partners and sometimes even strangers. 3Some people may do this indirectly. They may want to soften the immediate effect the news will have on the person. We might tell only part of the truth. When we do this, we are "pulling our punches" 4But there are other times when we do the opposite. 5We speak directly, presenting the hard facts and little else. We might do this in emergencies, when facing danger, or other times when the complete truth is required. In these cases, we are "not pulling any punches." 6When someone does not pull any punches, they say things that might be hurtful or frightening. They know the information may be troubling. But, the information is usually thought to be more important than the unease it may cause. 7If you don't pull punches, you speak your mind. You tell it like it is. You don't mince words or sugar-coat the truth. Mincing words means to soften or weaken your words especially for the sake of being polite. Some people mince words when they are afraid to tell someone the truth. And if you sugarcoat something, you make it sound more pleasant or acceptable than it really is. 8People who don't pull punches can also be called straight-talking, blunt, or frank. In fact, sometimes we use "blunt" and "frank" when we break bad or difficult news to someone. We might say, "Look, I need to be frank with you," or "I hate to be blunt but ..." and then you're blunt. You don't pull your punches. 9When talking with this kind of person, we always know where we stand. We never have to guess. This can be a good thing. 10However, when we are on the receiving end of a person who doesn't pull any punches, we also need a thick skin. Much of what we may hear might hurt a little ... or a lot. Just as a thick skin protects some animals from attacks, it also protects people from hard, cold truths that are hard to hear. But with a "thick skin," we can better absorb the "punch" of tough news. 11When you don't pull any punches, you also act without restraint or limitations. You don't hold back. You are all in. 12The phrase "to not pull any punches" comes from boxing. If you pull a punch in the boxing ring, it means you restrain your power. You purposely hit your opponent with less force than is possible. 13Word experts say that in the 1930s people began to use this phrase more widely. These days you can pull your punches or not pull any punches is just about any situation. 14Now let's hear two friends use this phrase and related terms in a short conversation. 15A: Okay, here is my movie script. 16B: Oh wow! You finished it! Congrats! 17A: Now I really need some outside opinions. I'm way too close to the material. 18B: That is a great idea. But I don't think I'm the person to ask. 19A: Why? You have really good taste in films, and I know you'll tell me like it is. 20B: That's the problem. I am brutally honest. It's impossible for me to pull any punches. 21A: That's exactly what I need - honesty! Tell me what you really think. Don't hold anything back. 22B: You say that now. But when you hear my criticisms, you may feel differently. 23A: No way. I have a really thick skin. It's impossible for a little criticism to hurt my feelings. 24B: Okay, I'll read it and give you my notes. But the last person who asked me to read her manuscript still isn't talking to me. 25A: Oh. Wow. You really don't pull any punches, do you? 26B: You've been warned. 27Do you have a similar expression in your language? Let us know in the comments section or send us an email at LearningEnglish@voanews.com. 28And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. 29Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo. 30Anna Matteo wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English. 31_____________________________________________ 32Words in This Story 33mince words to soften or weaken your words especially for the sake of being polite 34brutally - adv. in a manner so as to cause loss or suffering 35blunt - adj. being or characterized by direct, brief, and potentially rude speech or manner 36frank - adj. free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions 37opponent - n. one that takes a position opposite another in a competition or conflict 38manuscript - n. a document submitted for publication 39We want to hear from you. Do you have similar expressions in your language? Our comment policy is here.