pull in one's hornsとは 意味・読み方・使い方

語源

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

発音

動詞

pull in one's horns (三人称単数 現在形 pulls in one's horns, 現在分詞 pulling in one's horns, 過去形および過去分詞形 pulled in one's horns)

1. (idiomatic) To become less impassioned, aggressive, or argumentative; to exercise restraint; to yield or capitulate.
   • 1848, Anthony Trollope, The Kellys and the O'Kellys, ch. 7:

     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.

   • 1904, Jack London, chapter 9, in The Sea-Wolf, New York, N.Y.: Grosset & Dunlap:

     "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."