dagger

be at daggers drawn (British & Australian)

if two people or groups are at daggers drawn, they are angry and ready to fight or argue with each other. Local residents are at daggers drawn with the council over rubbish collection. (often + with) The two countries have several times been at daggers drawn over the future of the island. (often + over)

See also: drawn

cloak-and-dagger

cloak-and-dagger behaviour is when people behave in a very secret way, often when it is not really necessary. Is all this cloak-and-dagger stuff necessary? Why can't we just meet in a café like everyone else? (always before noun)

look daggers at someone

to look very angrily at someone. I suddenly noticed David looking daggers at me and thought I'd better shut up.

See also: look

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shoot daggers at someone

to look very angrily at someone. I put a cigarette in my mouth and saw her shooting daggers at me from all the way across the room.

See also: shoot