Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

no holds barred

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.66 in modern English

Syllables: no hold-s barred
IPA

20

Scrabble Score

13

Letters

2

Syllables

10

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Without restrictions on holds or what opponents may do.

adj

Having absolutely no limits or restrictions as far as the levels and nature of one's hostilities and offense; taking to an especially ruthless or vicious manner.

Example Sentences

"a no holds barred match"
"Near-synonyms: unrestrained, unrestricted, unreserved, unconstrained, cutthroat"
"a no holds barred debating style that quickly transformed into cheap shots and bickering"
"There isn’t much reason to be optimistic about thoughtful dialogue in this general election. Both sides are girded for a negative, no-holds-barred slugfest."
"Among them was Ryan Ferchaud, 37, a tourist from Memphis who mostly faulted groups of college students for what she said was their no-holds-barred attitude regarding the mayhem."
"“But the Russian doctrine of mass firing and no holds barred was visible in Chechnya, and there is the potential that Russia will get its act together tactically, and that will result in mass fire against population centers.”"

Inflected Forms

no-holds-barred (alternative)

Phrases

all-in wrestling boots and all pull one's punches pull out all the stops

Frequently Paired Words

all-in wrestling boots and all pull one's punches pull out all the stops

Synonyms

unrestrained unrestricted unreserved unconstrained cutthroat

Questions

What does no holds barred mean?: Without restrictions on holds or what opponents may do.

How to pronounce no holds barred

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