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Definition of pull in one's horns in English:

pull in one's horns

phrase

(mainly British draw in one's horns)

  • Become more cautious, especially with regard to expenditure.

    ‘there are some signs that consumers are beginning to pull in their horns in the face of tighter credit constraints’
    • ‘This is not an argument for pulling in our horns.’
    • ‘Nonetheless, what we should do is to make a serious analytical effort to determine what overseas military commitments make sense and where we should pull in our horns.’
    • ‘A leader emboldened by four more years, with a greater mandate, is hardly likely to pull in his horns.’
    • ‘Small wonder they drew in their horns and did nothing with it for a few years.’
    • ‘The question is not whether consumers will draw in their horns, but how they will do so?’
    • ‘I think a lot of companies, because of the economic situation, are pulling in their horns.’
    • ‘Individuals and businesses will pull in their horns.’
    • ‘Companies that discover what their clients really want and respond with innovative products creatively sold can increase their share and earnings even when many consumers are drawing in their horns.’
    • ‘I believe that both companies will suffer when consumers are eventually forced to draw in their horns, which is why I'll be giving their shares a miss.’
    • ‘And from my point of view, he was one of those players who needed a shock to pull his horns in.’