Pull the ring out of something

To pull the ring out of something is to overdo something or use excessive, unnecessary behaviour or language. For example, in response to excessive criticism, a person might say, “I admit I was in the wrong but there is no need to pull the ring out of it.” The expression appears to be of South African origin but no etymology or citation has yet been found, although the expression has commonly been heard since the late 20th century. The ring referred to might well be the anal ring but this is mere supposition.