1. adjective Prepared or inclined to speak or act in a tough, merciless, and unbridled manner. This is the president with his gloves off, addressing his critics and detractors in a way he never would have when he was running for re-election. The aggressive response to the takeover threat gives the impression of a company with its gloves off.

2. adverb In an unbridled and aggressively forthright manner. The senator has been addressing the public with his gloves off lately, unafraid to give his true opinion of any topic or fellow politician. She's my favorite author because she always writes with her gloves off.