pull in one's horns
1．reduce one's boast；calm down from a quarrel收敛言语；停上吵架
He pulled in his horns when he realized that his boasting was not impressing me．当他意识到他的自吹对我不起作用时，就缩回去了。
2．reduce spending or activity缩减开支或活动
After the business failed，father had to pull in his horns．经营失败后，父亲只得缩减开支。