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Showing results for no holds barred. Search instead for 0+Holds+Barred.
Synonyms

no holds barred

Idioms  
  1. Without any restrictions, as in Telephone companies are entering the market for Internet users with no holds barred. This expression comes from wrestling, where certain holds are illegal, or barred, and has been used figuratively since about 1940.


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Part of why I love that it’s Vegas is that there’s this ceilinglessness in terms of no holds barred again, like I want to wear a boa.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 15, 2025

Yes, they're all just letting their freak flags fly, no holds barred.

From Salon • Nov. 20, 2023

"On any given day, I might be scared of Arnold, but when I get to play Barry, it’s no holds barred, and I get to hold him accountable," said Carter.

From Reuters • May 23, 2023

She is not yet, despite our own invitation and no doubt many others, sitting down for live interviews with no holds barred.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2023

Spoade was the world’s champion sitter-around, no holds barred and gouging discretionary.

From "The Sound and the Fury" by William Faulkner

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