cross swords

cross swords

To fight or argue. Danielle and I crossed swords over our different approaches to the experiment. Do not mention politics at a family dinner unless you want everyone to cross swords. Oh, I've crossed swords with the principal about my curriculum many times before—I'm not worried.

See also: cross, sword

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

cross swords (with someone)

Fig. to become the adversary of someone. Gloria loved an argument and was looking forward to crossing swords with Sally.

See also: cross, sword

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

cross swords

Fight, either verbally or physically. For example, At every policy meeting the two vice-presidents crossed swords. This phrase alludes to the ancient form of combat using swords. Also see at sword's point.

See also: cross, sword

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

cross swords

If you cross swords with someone, you disagree and argue with them or oppose them. Note: `Ploughshares' is spelled `plowshares' in American English. He repeatedly crossed swords with Mrs Gandhi in the early 1970s. Fowler and Booth had crossed swords on many occasions in the closing months of the Callaghan Labour government.

See also: cross, sword

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

cross swords

have an argument or dispute.

Originally, this expression had the literal sense of ‘fight a duel’.

See also: cross, sword

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

cross ˈswords (with somebody)

have an argument (with somebody): At the committee meeting, I crossed swords with Professor Smith over her department’s overspending.

See also: cross, sword

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

cross swords

To quarrel or fight.

See also: cross, sword

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.