pull in one's horns

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   To become less impassioned, aggressive, or argumentative

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

   • 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.
   • "I see Cooky's finish," I heard Smoke say to Horner. "You bet," was the reply. "Hump runs the galley from now on, and Cooky pulls in his horns."
   • Anyone else would have pulled in his horns and gone slow for a spell, but he's one of those fellows whose horse is always going to win the next race.

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