running battle
A prolonged argument or disagreement. When those two are in a running battle, it's hard to get them to finally reconcile.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
a running battle
COMMON A running battle with someone is an argument or fight that you have over a long period of time. The government's running battle with the media took a significant new turn yesterday. Note: You can also say that someone has or fights a running battle with or against someone. `For the last four years I've fought a running battle against vandals and thieves,' Mr Hearsum said.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
a running battle
a confrontation that has gone on for a long time. Literally, a running battle is one that is constantly changing its location, the opposite of a pitched battle (see pitched). The expression running fight was used in the late 17th century to describe a naval engagement in which the fight was continued as one party retreated or fled. Running battle appears to have originated in the mid 20th century.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
a running ˈbattle
an argument, a dispute, etc. which continues over a long period of time: There’s been a running battle between John and his neighbour for years about their garden wall. Running here means ‘continuing’.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
running battle
An ongoing fight. The term originated in naval warfare in the late 1600s, when it signified a battle carried on while a vessel was retreating (running away). Later it was transferred and used figuratively, as in one of comedian Groucho Marx’s letters (1967) in which he wrote of a running battle with Warner Brothers. See also the quotation under at swords' points.
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer