battle

a battle royal

a classic, hard-fought battle or argument. The meeting turned into a battle royal and everyone left angry.

See also: royal

battle (with someone) (over someone or something)

Fig. to argue or struggle with someone over someone or something. (Not meant to involve physical fighting.) Why do you always have to battle with me over practically nothing? You shouldn't battle over just anything for the sake of argument!

battle something out 

1. Lit. to fight about something to a conclusion. They battled the matter out and came to an agreement. The two young toughs went into the alley to battle out their differences.

2. Fig. to argue something to a conclusion; to struggle to reach a conclusion. The Senate and the House disagree on the bill, so they will have to battle a compromise out.

See also: out

battle against someone or something 

1. Lit. to wage a fight against someone or something; to attempt to defeat someone or something. The army battled against the enemy until both sides were exhausted.

2. Fig. to struggle with someone or something. We are battling against the ancient enemies of ignorance and hatred. I am tired of battling against Karen.

See also: against

battle for something 

1. Lit. to fight to gain something. The army battled for the town until they had defeated its defenders.

2. Fig. to attempt to win or gain something by struggling or arguing. Both of them battled for Kristina's attention.

battle of the bulge

the attempt to keep one's waistline slim. (Jocular. Alludes to a World War II battle.) She appears to have lost the battle of the bulge. I've been fighting the battle of the bulge ever since I turned 35.

See also: bulge

half the battle

Fig. a significant part of an effort. Getting through traffic to the airport was half the battle. The flight was nothing at all.

See also: half

old battle-axe

a bossy old woman. She is such an old battle-axe. I'll bet she's hell to live with.

See also: old

uphill battle and uphill struggle

Fig. a hard struggle. Convincing the senator to see our point of view was an uphill battle, but we finally succeeded.

See also: uphill

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a battle of wills

a situation in which there are two competing people or groups, and both sides are equally determined to get what they want I'm sure there was some point to the original dispute but it's become a battle of wills over the months.

a battle of wits

a situation in which two people or groups try to defeat each other by using their intelligence (often + between ) It appears that the battle of wits between the two negotiating teams is set to continue for some time.

See also: wit

a battle/war of nerves

a situation in which two competing groups of people try to defeat each other by frightening and threatening each other without taking action This has become a battle of nerves with neither side seeming willing to back down.

See also: nerve

a pitched battle

an angry fight or argument There was a pitched battle between police and rioters.

See also: pitch

a running battle

if you have a running battle with someone, you have an argument that continues over a long period of time (often + with ) I've had a running battle with the neighbours over their kids throwing stones over the fence.

See also: running

an uphill battle/fight/struggle  also an uphill job/task

if something you are trying to do is an uphill struggle, it is very difficult, often because other people are causing problems for you Environmentalists face an uphill struggle convincing people to use their cars less. We're trying to expand our business, but it's an uphill battle.

See also: uphill

be half the battle (won)

to be the most difficult part of a process so that once you have completed this part, you have almost succeeded When you're training a dog, getting it to trust you is half the battle.

See also: half

fight a losing battle

to try hard to do something when there is no chance that you will succeed (usually in continuous tenses) We try our best to cope with the workload but we're fighting a losing battle.

See also: fight, losing

the battle lines are drawn

something that you say when two arguing groups have discovered exactly what they disagree about, and are ready to fight each other The battle lines are drawn for the leadership contest.

See also: drawn, line

the battle of the sexes

the disagreements and fight for power that exist between men and women So has equality brought an end to the battle of the sexes?

See a battle of nerves

See also: sex

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a running battle (with somebody/something)

an argument or fight that continues for a long time Flynn has fought a running battle with the tobacco company over its advertisements.

See also: running

do battle (with something)

to compete or argue with someone We plan to teach groups that normally do battle with each other to cooperate. Jessie liked to do battle with her brother.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of do battle (to fight against a military force)

draw (the) battle lines

to clearly show the differences between two ideas or opinions Churches generally draw battle lines over moral issues.

Usage notes: often used in the form the battle lines are drawn: The battle lines are being drawn between many patients and their health-care providers.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of battle lines (the positions of two armies prepared to fight)

See also: draw, line

fight a losing battle

to try hard but fail For years it seems we have been fighting a losing battle against poverty and hunger. In an old house, you're always fighting a losing battle with dust and dirt.

Usage notes: sometimes used without fight: Many teachers feel they are in a losing battle for learning and order.

See also: fight, losing

half the battle

a part of the effort or work needed With so many search engines on the Web, deciding which is the best one is half the battle. Half the battle was simply convincing my mother that she couldn't be alone any more.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form half the battle is won: If you know where to look for the information, half the battle is won.

See also: half