Definition & Meaning of "the gloves [are] off"

What is the origin of the idiom "the gloves are off" and when to use it?

The idiom "the gloves are off" refers to a situation where restraint, politeness, or caution is abandoned, and a more aggressive or direct approach is adopted. It originates from the sport of boxing, where fighters traditionally wore gloves for protection. Removing the gloves signaled the intention to fight more fiercely. In everyday language, this idiomatic expression is used to indicate a more intense, no-holds-barred approach to a situation or conflict.