Fighting is not always about physical battles; it’s also a popular theme in everyday sayings. These expressions, known as idioms, help us describe situations in a creative way, using the concept of “fighting” to make our point. Let’s dive into the world of fighting idioms, learning what they mean and seeing how they can be used in sentences.
Fighting Idioms
Here are 20 fighting idioms in English.
1. Fight tooth and nail
Meaning: To struggle fiercely
Example: He fought tooth and nail to keep his job.
2. Fight the good fight
Meaning: Struggle for a noble cause
Example: She fights the good fight for animal rights.
3. Fight fire with fire
Meaning: Respond in kind to an attack
Example: He fought fire with fire in the debate.
4. Fight off
Meaning: Resist an ailment or attack
Example: She fought off a cold this weekend.
5. Fight shy of
Meaning: Avoid dealing with something
Example: He fights shy of discussing his past.
6. Fight your corner
Meaning: Defend your position
Example: She fought her corner in the meeting.
7. Fight your way through
Meaning: Progress with difficulty
Example: He fought his way through the crowd.
8. Fight like cat and dog
Meaning: Quarrel violently
Example: They fight like cat and dog.
9. Fight back
Meaning: Respond to an attack
Example: She fought back tears during the speech.
10. Fight for breath
Meaning: Struggle to breathe
Example: He was fighting for breath after running.
11. Fighting chance
Meaning: A possibility of success
Example: There’s a fighting chance she’ll win.
12. Fight to the finish
Meaning: Continue until a task is done
Example: It was a fight to the finish.
13. Fight dirty
Meaning: Use unfair tactics
Example: He’s known to fight dirty during debates.
14. Fighting words
Meaning: Words that provoke a fight
Example: Those are fighting words where I come from.
15. Fight the clock
Meaning: Work against a deadline
Example: We’re fighting the clock on this project.
16. Fighting fit
Meaning: In very good health
Example: After the surgery, he’s fighting fit.
17. Fight a losing battle
Meaning: Struggle with little chance of winning
Example: She’s fighting a losing battle against aging.
18. Fight it out
Meaning: Resolve by fighting or arguing
Example: Let them fight it out among themselves.
19. Fight the urge
Meaning: Resist the desire to do something
Example: He fought the urge to laugh.
20. Fight on
Meaning: Continue fighting
Example: The team fought on despite the setbacks.
