thrust and parry

thrust and parry

To engage in a verbal duel with someone, in which both parties continuously exchange arguments, quips, and retorts. An allusion to the movements of sword fighting, especially fencing. They got into some heated debate about whether Star Wars or Star Trek is better. They've been thrusting and parrying like that for the last hour. The two political opponents thrusted and parried very skillfully in the debate last night, with many agreeing that there had been no clear winner.

See also: and, thrust

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

thrust and parry

Fig. to enter into verbal combat [with someone]; to compete actively [with someone]. (Fig. on the sport of fencing.) I spent the entire afternoon thrusting and parrying with a committee of so-called experts in the field of insurance. I do not intend to stand here and thrust and parry with you over a simple matter like this. Let's get someone else's opinion.

See also: and, thrust

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