What does to pull a punch mean?

From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English pull a punchto deliberately hit someone with less force than you could do, so that it hurts less → not pull any punches → pull.

What is the origin of the word punch?

The word punch may be a loanword from Hindi पाँच (pāñć), meaning “five”, as the drink was frequently made with five ingredients: alcohol, sugar, juice from either a lime or a lemon, water, and spices. But around 1655, Jamaican-produced rum came into use, and the “modern” punch emerged.

Is not pulling any punches?

to speak in an honest way without trying to be kind: Her image is that of an investigative reporter who doesn’t pull any punches.

What does punch mean in Sheng?

Meaning : Five. Use : Nione punch = Please give me 5 shillings. Period: Early 60’s.

When was Hawaiian Punch invented?

1934
In 1934, A.W. Leo, Tom Yates, and Ralph Harrison developed the first Hawaiian Punch recipe in a converted garage in Fullerton, California. They wanted a tropical-tasting syrup to add to their line of ice cream toppings sold under the trade name Pacific Citrus Products Company.

What does take down a peg mean?

Definition of take/knock/bring someone down a peg : to make (someone) feel less important or proud He was taken down a peg when an even better player joined the team.

What is the meaning of the idiom to the letter?

phrase. If you say that someone carries out instructions to the letter, you mean that they do exactly what they are told to do, paying great attention to every detail. She obeyed his instructions to the letter.

Is pull your socks up a metaphor?

The expression is a metaphor, as you know. If you really, literally want a child to grab his socks and pull them into place (up), then, of course, you’d say, “Pull your socks up” and intend just what you say, no metaphor.