bare-knuckle

• Décrit une situation, une compétition ou un sport qui est agressif, impitoyable et sans règles ni limites ; se dit aussi d'un combat à mains nues, brutal et sans protections.

Describes a situation, competition, or argument that is aggressive, ruthless, and without rules or restraint.

1. Unrestrained and aggressiveC1informal

   Characterized by disorderly action and disregard for rules; done in a very aggressive or ruthless way.

   Sans merci, impitoyable

   • The debate turned into a bare-knuckle fight with personal insults.
   • Bare-knuckle politics often involves attacking opponents without mercy.
   • The negotiations were a bare-knuckle affair with no holds barred.

   Synonymesbrutalcutthroatferocioushard-hittingruthlesssavageunrestrainedunscrupulousvicious

   Antonymescivilgentlemildmoderatepeacefulrestrained

2. Without gloves (boxing)B2formal

   Relating to boxing without padded gloves, typically more brutal and dangerous.

   à mains nues (boxe)

   • Bare-knuckle boxing was popular in the 19th century.
   • He trained for a bare-knuckle match in the underground circuit.
   • The sport of bare-knuckle fighting is illegal in many countries.

   Synonymesbare-knuckledbarehandedgloveless

   Antonymesgloved