It's a boxing term, when you pull a punch you don't hit the other fighter as hard as you can.
It also means to hold back from doing or saying what you really think, not being completely honest so you won't hurt somebody's feelings.
When you don't pull any punches you are frank, honest.
Jason is a brutally honest guy, so if you can't handle the truth then you better not ask for his opinion, he can't pull a punch.
by sandra_dee January 11, 2009
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To speak truthfully, without brown nosing or without being patronizing or without being sensitive and kind.
Susan did not pull any punches when she told Bobby what she thought of him running over her brother in the living room when Bobby was drunk and high on drugs and put the car in drive instead of reverse.

Yea, she tends to use a sledge hammer and nail to driver her point in.

I guess she figures it will stick to him that way.
by mlhiss May 12, 2008
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Verb
1. to criticise smth or smb just for effect or for show
2. to be not fully frank
1. It is a brutally funny novel which doesn't pull punches concerning Immigration Service.
2. Don't pull any punches! Tell me the truth!
by Dontmakemesad December 26, 2011
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this phrase does not exist.

by no stretch of the imagination does it mean to withhold criticism.

any website that says otherwise is wrong.
If Jordy were to tell me that pulling punches is a legitimate expression, he would be wrong.
by The Diabolical One August 27, 2009
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