argue (redirected from argued)

(I) can't argue with that.

Inf. I agree with what you said.; It sounds like a good idea. Tom: This sure is good cake. Bob: Can't argue with that. Sue: What do you say we go for a swim? Fred: I can't argue with that.

argue (with someone) (over someone or something) and argue (with someone) (about someone or something)

to dispute or quarrel over someone or something with someone. Are you going to argue with her over something so simple? I wish you wouldn't argue over money with me. We always argue about who should drive. Don't argue with me!

argue someone down

to defeat someone in a debate. Sally could always argue him down if she had to. She tries to argue down everyone she meets.

argue someone into doing something

to convince or persuade someone to do something. She was unable to argue the manager into attending. She was unable to argue herself into doing something so unpleasant.

See also: doing

argue something down 

1. Lit. to reduce something, such as a bill or a price, by arguing. I tried to argue the price down, but it did no good. Tom could not argue down the bill.

2. Fig. to urge the defeat of a proposal or a motion in a meeting through discussion. I am prepared to argue the proposal down in court. She will argue down the proposal in the council meeting.

argue something out

to settle something by discussing all the important points. We are going to have to argue this out some other time. Must we argue out every single detail of this contract?

See also: out

argue against someone or something 

1. Lit. [for someone] to make a case against someone or something; to oppose the choice of someone or something in an argument. I am preparing myself to argue against the case. Liz argued against Tom as the new president, but we chose him anyway.

2. Fig. [for something, such as facts] to support a case against someone or something in an argument; [for something, such as facts] to support a case against the choice of someone or something in an argument. I have uncovered something that argues against continuing this friendship. His own remarks argue against his qualifications for the office, but he probably will be elected anyway.

See also: against

argue back

to argue with or oppose someone; to answer back (to someone); to talk back (to someone). (Usually said of persons who are supposed to listen and obey without comment.) Please don't argue back all the time. I wish you children did not argue back so much.

See also: back

argue for someone or something

to make a case in favor of someone or something; to speak on behalf of someone or something in an argument. Are you prepared to argue strongly for this proposal? We will argue for our candidate in the debate.

argue one's way out of something and argue one's way out

to talk and get oneself free of a problem. You can't argue your way out of this! It's a problem, and there is no way that you can argue your way out.

See also: out, way

argue with something

to challenge or dispute something; to dispute someone's statement of fact. I won't argue with your conclusions. It is not a good idea to argue with the facts.

arguing for the sake of arguing and arguing for the sake of argument

arguing simply to be difficult or contrary. You are just arguing for the sake ofarguing. You don't even know what the issue is. He is annoying, because he is always arguing for the sake of argument.

See also: sake

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argue the toss  (British & Australian informal)

to disagree with a decision or statement Are you prepared to argue the toss when you might have to go to court to prove it?

See also: toss

couldn't [act/argue/fight] your way out of a paper bag  (humorous)

if someone couldn't act, argue, fight etc. their way out of a paper bag, they act, argue, fight etc. very badly It's no good asking Jim to protect you - he couldn't fight his way out of a paper bag.

See also: bag, couldn't, out, paper, way