arguing for the sake of arguing
Continuing a disagreement solely out of obstinacy. We have a potential compromise, so he's just arguing for the sake of arguing now. It's like Jeff is determined to misunderstand me. He's just arguing for the sake of arguing at this point. I have no interest in arguing for the sake of arguing, so can we please move on from this topic?
arguing for the sake of argument
Continuing a disagreement solely out of obstinacy. We have a potential compromise, so he's just arguing for the sake of argument now. It's like Jeff is determined to misunderstand me. He's just arguing for the sake of argument at this point. I have no interest in arguing for the sake of argument, so can we please move on from this topic?
be spoiling for (something)
To be particularly eager or enthusiastic for something. Used especially in the phrase "be spoiling for a fight." Come on, don't engage with that drunken fool, he's spoiling for a fight! We've done everything we can to reach a reasonable compromise with the other party, but they have been spoiling for an argument at every turn. My mother is spoiling for a fight when she makes critical comments like that—don't even listen to her.
for the sake of argument
Just to consider an alternative to something being discussed. I know you want to go to Stanford, but just for the sake of argument, let's talk about what some of the other schools you got into have to offer. I know it is generally accepted that the book's story is a metaphor for capitalism, but, for the sake of argument, what if the whole work is actually a satire? I know a lot of people oppose the building of a new railway, but, for the sake of argument, let's consider all the ways it could improve our city!
get into an argument
To begin to argue with someone about something. So I heard that you two got into an argument last night—what was it about? Please don't get into an argument about politics at the dinner table. Why would you get into an argument with the ump? Are you trying to get thrown out of the game?
get into an argument about (someone or something)
To begin to argue with someone about something. So I heard that you and Dan got into an argument about money last night. Please don't get into an argument about politics at the dinner table. Don't get into an argument with your teacher about homework, just do what was assigned.
get into an argument about (someone or something) with (someone)
To begin to argue with someone about something. So I heard that you got into an argument about money with Dan last night. Please don't get into an argument about politics with anyone at the dinner table. Don't get into an argument about homework with your teacher, just do what was assigned
get into an argument over (someone or something)
To begin to argue with someone about something. So I heard that you and Dan got into an argument over money last night. Please don't get into an argument over politics at the dinner table. Why would you get into an argument with the ump over balls and strikes? Are you trying to get thrown out of the game?
get into an argument over (someone or something) with (someone)
To begin to argue with someone about something. So I heard that you got into an argument over money with Dan last night. Please don't get into an argument over politics with anyone at the dinner table. Why would you get into an argument over balls and strikes with the ump? Are you trying to get thrown out of the game?
get into an argument with (one) over (someone or something)
To begin to argue with one about someone or something. So I heard that you got into an argument with Dan over money last night. Please don't get into an argument with anyone over politics at the dinner table. I keep getting into arguments with Mary over the kids.
get into an argument with (someone)
To begin to argue with someone about something. So I heard that you got into an argument with Dan last night—what was it about? Please don't get into an argument with your sister at the dinner table. Why would you get into an argument with the ump? Are you trying to get thrown out of the game?
get into an argument with (someone) about (someone or something)
To begin to argue with someone about something. So I heard that you got into an argument with Dan about money last night. Please don't get into an argument with anyone about politics at the dinner table. Why would you get into an argument with the ump about balls and strikes? Are you trying to get thrown out of the game?
have an argument (with someone)
To engage in a verbal fight or disagreement with someone; to argue. Oh boy, what did you and Mom have an argument about this time? I don't want to have an argument with you about your spending every time the credit card bill comes in, OK? Why do you and Uncle Ned always have to have an argument about politics at family dinners?
ironclad
1. Fixed; inflexible; unbreakable. But not playing ball in the house is one of Mom's ironclad rules! I think any lawyer will have a hard time getting you out of that contract—it's ironclad. The syllabus isn't ironclad, of course, but I certainly hope that we're able to cover all of these works this semester.
2. Unable to be contradicted. I didn't even know what to say in response to the ironclad argument made by the opposing counsel. This security footage is ironclad evidence that you were a part of the robbery! I thought my hypothesis was ironclad—and then my lab partner showed me where I'd gone wrong.
pick a fight
To act aggressively or in a certain way toward someone in order to provoke them into a fight. I don't know why she was so critical of me tonight—it's like she was trying to pick a fight or something. He's the kind of troll who just posts on the message board to pick a fight.
pick a quarrel
To act or speak toward someone in an aggressive or antagonistic way so as to provoke them into an argument or fight. I don't know why she was so critical of me tonight—it's like she was trying to pick a quarrel or something. He's the kind of troll who just posts on the message board to pick a quarrel with other members. After ten years of working in this bar, I know how to spot a patron looking to pick a quarrel with people.
pick an argument
To act in an aggressive or provocative way toward someone in order to goad them into a verbal fight. I don't know why she was so critical of me tonight—it's like she was trying to pick an argument or something. He's the kind of troll who just posts on the message board to pick an argument.
sledgehammer argument
A strong argument that eliminates all opposition. I really want to win the debate next week, so I'm preparing a real sledgehammer argument.
throw (something) back and forth
1. To take turns tossing something between one another. My son and I discussed a lot of things while we threw the baseball back and forth in the back yard. The bullies stole the girl's stuffed animal and threw it back and forth above her head.
2. To discuss various ideas, points, arguments, etc., with one another. We all sat around the table and threw ideas for a new product back and forth. We started something of an informal debate about the topic, throwing arguments and counterpoints back and forth for the duration of the class.
3. To alternate making verbal attacks, insults, quips, etc., at one another. My dad and my boyfriend kept throwing snide remarks back and forth throughout the dinner, until eventually I snapped at them to cut it out. The two presidential candidates spent the entirety of the debate throwing insults back and forth.
toss (something) back and forth
1. To take turns throwing something lightly or casually between one another. My son and I discussed a lot of things while we tossed the baseball back and forth in the back yard. The bullies stole the girl's stuffed animal and tossed it back and forth above her head.
2. To discuss various ideas, points, arguments, etc., with one another. We all sat around the table and tossed ideas for a new product back and forth. We started something of an informal debate about the topic, tossing arguments and counterpoints back and forth for the duration of the class.
3. To alternate making verbal attacks, insults, quips, etc., at one another. My dad and my boyfriend kept tossing snide remarks back and forth throughout the dinner, until eventually I snapped at them to cut it out. The two presidential candidates spent the entirety of the debate tossing insults back and forth.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.