battle with (someone or something)

battle with (someone or something)

1. To engage in an armed conflict or struggle with someone. Our troops prepared to battle with the rebels from the southern isles. We've been battling with enemy soldiers for days, and still they refuse to retreat. The two nations' armies have been battling with each other to decide once and for all who will rule the disputed territory.

2. To engage in an argument or dispute with someone. I feel like I'm constantly battling with the number-crunchers from accounts to get the budget I need for my team. The president has been battling with Congress over the proposed legislation. Is Mom still battling with Grandma about the best way to make the Thanksgiving turkey?

3. To engage in a relentless or merciless competition with someone or something. The two companies have been battling with one another for market dominance for nearly 10 years. She will be battling with the two-time national champion in the gold-medal match tomorrow night. The two candidates have certainly been battling with each other in the media—I'm so sick of all these commercials!

4. To struggle to make something function correctly. I've been battling with this dishwasher all morning, but it still won't drain! The amount of time each day we spend battling with this printer is downright ridiculous. A: "Are you still battling with the blender?" B: "Yes, but I think I've almost got it working now!"

See also: battle

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

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!

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.