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Pull in one's horns

verb

Definitions

Verb
  1. 1
    To become less impassioned, aggressive, or argumentative; to exercise restraint; to yield or capitulate. idiomatic

    "Barry . . . stood, during this tirade, half stupefied with rage, and half frightened, at the open attack made on him. . . . However, he couldn't pull in his horns now, and he was obliged, in self-defence, to brazen it out."

  2. 2
    make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity wordnet

Etymology

In reference to the behaviour of a snail when it is threatened.

See also for "pull in one's horns"

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