gloves are off

One possible etymology comes from the sport of boxing, where competitors fistfight wearing padded gloves; removing the gloves during a fight could result in serious physical injury. Another comes from the trend of gentlemen wearing gloves as part of their outfit; these gloves would often be taken off before engaging in rough behavior. Compare throw down the gauntlet.

• "The gloves are off in this match; both teams are purposely committing fouls against opposing players!"
• "In the early years after 9/11, it was often said of antiterrorism that "the gloves are off now.""
• "The gloves were off at the Conservative Party annual conference in Manchester on October 2, with Secretary of State for Transport Mark Harper spending much of his speech attacking Labour and the unions."

• when push comes to shove
• when the chips are down
• in a pinch
• knockdown-dragout
• take off one's gloves
• the knives are out