No-holds-barred

Posted by ESC on July 25, 2006

In Reply to: No-holds-barred posted by John on July 25, 2006

: What's the meaning of no-holds-barred? What is its origin?

No holds barred -- "Without any restrictions. The term is believed to come from wrestling, where normally certain holds are not permitted. It came into general use about 1940..." From "Southpaws & Sunday Punches and other Sporting Expressions" by Christine Ammer (Penguin Books, New York, 1993). Page 147.

• No-holds-barred Gary Martin 25/July/06