no holds barred

Idioms and Phrases

Without any restrictions, as in Telephone companies are entering the market for Internet users with no holds barred . This expression comes from wrestling, where certain holds are illegal, or barred , and has been used figuratively since about 1940.

Example Sentences

Thomas Ravenel, the former Republican state Treasurer, is promising a no-holds barred independent campaign.

From The Daily Beast

Fighting words indeed, resulting in an intense, no-holds-barred Twitter war began between the two.

From The Daily Beast

Obama's no-holds-barred meeting was good for him—and for Republicans.

From The Daily Beast

Beatrice Dalle was its brief no-holds-barred incarnation of passion in Betty Blue.

From The Daily Beast

It was a no-holds-barred fight and each man was trying as hard as possible to kill his opponent.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• angrily
• boldly
• brutally
• ferociously
• forcefully
• frantically
• furiously
• madly
• mightily
• passionately
• savagely
• severely
• vehemently
• viciously
• wildly