draw\ in\ one's\ horns

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 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.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • 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

  • draw in one's horns — phrasal : to act more conservatively or cautiously than at some former time he d better draw in his horns if he wants to keep out of trouble * * * draw in one s horns ▪ To moderate one s ardour or pretensions ▪ To curtail or restrict one s… …   Useful english dictionary

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

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

  • draw in one's horns — spend less money Their company is not doing well so they will have to draw in their horns for awhile …   Idioms and examples

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

  • 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… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • 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

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”