a battle of wills

A competition in which opposing sides are unrelenting in their attempts to achieve a particular outcome. Each refusing to compromise, the husband and wife entered into a battle of wills as they attempted to negotiate their divorce settlement. Well, we're still tied 1-1 here, so this battle of wills is going to a second overtime. Considering the battle of wills both sides are engaged in, I doubt we'll get this contract signed today.

a battle of wills

If an argument or conflict is a battle of wills, the person with the strongest beliefs or personality will win. It was a battle of wills, and Grace's was the stronger. All that was left was a mutual struggle, a battle of wills, which became totally exhausting.

a battle of ˈwills

a competition, an argument or a struggle where each side is very determined to win: Annie and Phil were engaged in a silent battle of wills, each refusing to leave.