the gloves are off Definition

glove
noun gloves

1. A covering for the hand which usually has individual casings for each finger.
2. A similar padded hand covering used in sports such as boxing, baseball, etc.

verb

gloved, gloving
1. To cover something with a glove or gloves.

Idiom: fit like a glove

See under fit¹.

Idiom: the gloves are off

colloq
The serious argument, fight, etc is about to begin. See also kid glove.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon glof.