Argument: English Vocabulary List

used to say that there is no point in arguing about unpleasant things that happened in the past

"Our argument is water under the bridge."

"Our argument happened many years ago and it is water under the bridge now so let us forget about it."

a very violent and intense argument between two parties

"They had a blazing row."

"The neighbors had a blazing row over the fence line that lasted for hours."

to reply quickly and rudely to someone

"Do not jump down my throat."

"Please don't jump down my throat before you hear the full explanation of the situation."

to talk to someone frankly in order to settle a dispute or argument

"I will have it out."

"After weeks of tension, she decided it was time to have it out with her roommate."

used to ask someone not to make one talk about a certain topic as it might start a lengthy, unpleasant discussion

"Don't get me started!"

"If you ask him about his commute, do not get me started, he will complain for an hour."

to engage in an activity, particularly an argument, in a forceful, energetic, or violent manner

"They went at it hammer and tongs."

"The couple were going at it hammer and tongs and everyone in the building could hear them arguing loudly."

a state or situation in which one must face extreme hostility

"He walked into the lion's den."

"The brave journalist walked into the lion's den by agreeing to interview the dangerous dictator face to face."

to offer unnecessary or redundant instruction or advice to someone who is already experienced or knowledgeable in that particular area

"Don't teach grandma eggs."

"You cannot teach your grandmother to suck eggs; she's been a chef for decades."

to do something with the intention of harming or punishing someone only to face the consequences oneself

"Don't cut off your nose to spite your face."

"By refusing the promotion he cut off his nose to spite his face because he was angry with his boss."

to dismiss or fire someone from their job or position

"She showed the employee the door."

"When the customer became rude and aggressive the manager showed him the door immediately."

to use offensive words in an intense and rapid manner

"He stubbed his toe and swore a blue streak."

"When he hit his thumb with the hammer he swore a blue streak that shocked everyone nearby."

a person who is in the middle of two fighting or arguing sides

"He was monkey in middle."

"The mediator found himself the monkey in the middle of their escalating disagreement."

an argument or fight with someone that keeps on going for a long time

"The activists had a running battle with police."

"The activists had a running battle with police and clashes continued for several days."

a loud argument

"They had a shouting match."

"The two drivers got into a heated shouting match after the minor fender bender."

to stop criticizing or attacking another person

"Call off the dogs."

"After the public apology, the company decided to call off the dogs and cease further investigations."

a situation involving two people who refuse to compromise, hoping the other individual does so first

"It was a battle of wills."

"The negotiation turned into a clash of wills as neither side was willing to compromise on the terms."

to become involved in an argument or fight with someone

"They locked horns again."

"The two managers locked horns over the budget allocation, creating a tense atmosphere throughout the entire department meeting."

to angrily ask someone to leave a place

"Show him the door!"

"After his disruptive behavior at the party, the host had no choice but to show him the door."