pull\ in\ one's\ horns

pull\ in\ one's\ horns
• pull in one's horns
• draw in one's horns
v. phr. informal
1. To reduce your boasts; calm down from a quarrel; back down on a promise.

He said he could beat any man there single-handed, but he pulled in his horns when Jack came forward.

2. To cut back from one's usual way of living; reduce spending or activities; save.

After the business failed, Father had to pull in his horns.

As one advances in years, it is prudent to pull in one's horns more and more as to physical activity.


Словарь американских идиом. — СПб., Изд-во "Лань". . 1997.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • pull in one's horns — or[draw in one s horns] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To reduce your boasts; calm down from a quarrel; back down on a promise. * /He said he could beat any man there single handed, but he pulled in his horns when Jack came forward./ 2. To cut back… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • pull in one's horns — or[draw in one s horns] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To reduce your boasts; calm down from a quarrel; back down on a promise. * /He said he could beat any man there single handed, but he pulled in his horns when Jack came forward./ 2. To cut back… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • pull in one's horns — ► draw (or pull) in one s horns become less assertive or ambitious. Main Entry: ↑horn …   English terms dictionary

  • pull in one's horns — verb make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity We ll have to crawfish out from meeting with him He backed out of his earlier promise The aggressive investment company pulled in its horns • Syn: ↑retreat, ↑pull back, ↑back out, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • pull in one's horns — (Colloq.) Repress one s ardor, restrain one s pride, cease boasting …   New dictionary of synonyms

  • To pull in one's horns — Horn Horn (h[^o]rn), n. [AS. horn; akin to D. horen, hoorn, G., Icel., Sw., & Dan. horn, Goth. ha[ u]rn, W., Gael., & Ir. corn, L. cornu, Gr. ke ras, and perh. also to E. cheer, cranium, cerebral; cf. Skr. [,c]iras head. Cf. {Carat}, {Corn} on… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • draw (or pull) in one's horns — become less assertive or ambitious. → horn …   English new terms dictionary

  • draw\ in\ one's\ horns — • pull in one s horns • draw in one s horns v. phr. informal 1. To reduce your boasts; calm down from a quarrel; back down on a promise. He said he could beat any man there single handed, but he pulled in his horns when Jack came forward. 2. To… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • draw in one's horns — See: PULL IN ONE S HORNS …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • draw in one's horns — See: PULL IN ONE S HORNS …   Dictionary of American idioms

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