pull in one's horns

1. To reduce your boasts; calm down from a quarrel; back down on a promise.

/He said he could beat any man there single-handed, but he pulled in his horns when Jack came forward./

2. To cut back from one's usual way of living; reduce spending or activities; save.

/After the business failed, Father had to pull in his horns./

/As one advances in years, it is prudent to pull in one's horns more and more as to physical activity./

Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms

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	horn [horn] See: BLOW ONE'S OWN HORN or TOOT ONE'S OWN HORN, PULL IN ONE'S HORNS ... A Dictionary of American Idioms draw in one's horns [draw in one's horns] See: PULL IN ONE'S HORNS. A Dictionary of American Idioms take the bull by the horns [take the bull by the horns] {v. phr.}, {informal} To take definite action and not ... A Dictionary of American Idioms haul in one's horns [haul in one's horns] See: PULL IN ONE'S HORNS. A Dictionary of American Idioms pull one's weight [pull one's weight] {v. phr.} To do your full share of work; do your part. ... A Dictionary of American Idioms back [back] See: [BACK OF] or [IN BACK OF], [BEHIND ONE'S BACK], [BRUSH BACK], [COME BACK], ... A Dictionary of American Idioms horns of a dilemma [horns of a dilemma] {n. phr.} Two choices possible in a situation in which neither ... A Dictionary of American Idioms

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