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without throwing a single punch

English translation: without having a fight

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:without throwing a single punch
Selected answer:without having a fight
Entered by: Andrew Vdovin

14:44 Jun 28, 2011
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Social Sciences - Music
English term or phrase: without throwing a single punch
What happens when you put four of the San Francisco Bay Area’s premier drum teachers together in a small room? If you ply them with enough Starbucks and bagels, you’d be surprised at what they reveal, especially when it’s a diverse group of pedagogues like noted percussion author John Xepoleas, ex-Four Non-Blondes skins woman Dawn Richardson, DRUM! Magazine music editor at large Wally Schnalle, and world-renowned vintage snare collector Mike Curotto. Not only did they share their hard-earned wisdom, they did so ***without throwing a single punch.***

What is the phrase supposed to mean here?
They didn't quarrel/fight with each other?
Or does it mean it was just a piece of cake for them?
Or something else?
Andrew Vdovin
Local time: 18:40
without having a fight
Explanation:
You've got 4 specialists and potential rivals all brought together to discuss something. Although it's somewhat of a melodramatic way of describing it, they don't fight (throw punches) at all (not even a single punch) but just have a discussion
Selected response from:

Liz Dexter (was Broomfield)
United Kingdom
Grading comment
Thanks everybody!!!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +9without having a fight
Liz Dexter (was Broomfield)
4 +1without arguing amongst themselves
eski
5without fighting
Jacob De Camillis (X)
3 +1without objecting
DLyons


  

Answers


1 min   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +9
without having a fight


Explanation:
You've got 4 specialists and potential rivals all brought together to discuss something. Although it's somewhat of a melodramatic way of describing it, they don't fight (throw punches) at all (not even a single punch) but just have a discussion

Liz Dexter (was Broomfield)
United Kingdom
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 20
Grading comment
Thanks everybody!!!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  benettfreeman: You're on the ball today! :)
1 min
  -> Thank you! Having a little break from novel editing and these have popped through at the right time!
agree  Kim Metzger
5 mins
  -> Thank you!
agree  FionaT
7 mins
  -> Thanks!
neutral  DLyons: This is certainly possible, but I read it differently. // You could well be right :-)
8 mins
  -> Well I just offered what I thought was what it meant ... and so did you. We'll see what they choose in the end!
agree  Tina Vonhof (X)
33 mins
  -> Thanks!
agree  Lindsay Spratt
1 hr
  -> Thank you!
agree  Arabic & More
1 hr
  -> Thank you!
agree  Charles Davis: I think this is right. Among musicians, drummers are (most unfairly!) regarded as a bit wild and primitive (think Keith Moon etc.), so that's the basis of the joke.
2 hrs
  -> Thanks!
agree  Donna Stevens: Agree with Charles
4 hrs
  -> Thank you! So do I!
agree  Stanislaw Czech, MCIL CL
1 day 6 hrs
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9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
without objecting


Explanation:
I read this as saying that the writer found them forthcoming (at least after Starbucks and bagels) with information.

I don't think it's saying they didn't argue among themselves (they may or may not have, we just don't know).

DLyons
Ireland
Local time: 12:40
Native speaker of: English

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Thuy-PTT (X)
14 days
  -> Thanks Thuy-PTT.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

13 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
without arguing amongst themselves


Explanation:
without arguing:

30 Nov 2010 – BROUGHT TO YOU BY JON McCASLIN - A TREATISE ON JAZZ DRUMMING AND ALL THINGS UNRELATED ... Just a few ones today of a drummer who, I think, .... there is NO real argument if it's done correctly) Someone asked Jeff Hamilton .... solo and then proceed to give a great session on a harmonic improvisation ...
jonmccaslinjazzdrummer.blogspot.com/2010_11_01_archive.html - En caché


eski
Mexico
Local time: 05:40
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in SpanishSpanish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Tina Vonhof (X): Another option (but your reference is about a different sort of argument).
22 mins
  -> Thank you & ¡Muchos saludos from Acapulco, Tina; eski :))
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
without throwing a single punch, without objection
without fighting


Explanation:
We often say, "you've/I've settled an argument without throwing a single punch" meaning that one has managed to reconcile differences without resorting to violence.

As with the poster prior myself, it can more loosely I suppose mean without objection -- that is to say, rather than put up a fight against/for something, one merely shuts up and does as she/he is asked of.

Jacob De Camillis (X)
Canada
Local time: 04:40
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in ArabicArabic
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