Fighting & Conflict: English Vocabulary List

to say offensive, criticizing, or rude things to someone, particularly one's opponent, to make them less confident

"Stop talking trash about him."

"The two boxers talked trash to each other before the fight but one of them was knocked out in the first round."

to engage in a physical fight or confrontation

"They decided to run the fade."

"After the heated argument, the two rivals agreed to run the fade in the parking lot."

to get knocked out or struck unconscious, usually in a fight

"He caught a fade."

"The boxer was surprised when his opponent landed a powerful punch, causing him to catch a fade."

to engage in or be ready for a physical fight

"When the argument got physical, they threw hands."

"The angry men started to throw hands at each other and the fight lasted for several minutes."

to get punched or physically attacked, usually in a fight or as a threat

"He will catch hands."

"If you continue to provoke him, you're going to catch hands before this night is over."

to engage in a physical fight

"In the hockey game, the players started to run hands."

"The tough guy threatened to run hands with anyone who disrespected him in the crowded bar."

to prepare to fight or make fists

"Knuckle up and face the challenge."

"The boxer knew he had to knuckle up and face his toughest opponent in the ring."

to gesture, posture, or approach threateningly, often to intimidate or prepare for a fight

"He began to shape up."

"The aggressor started to shape up, puffing out his chest and clenching his fists menacingly."

to fight or argue intensely until one side wins

"The two boxers slugged it out for ten rounds."

"The two boxers decided to slug it out in the ring for the championship title."

to engage in a risky challenge, daring the opponent to back down before real conflict or danger occurs

"The teenagers played chicken with their cars."

"The two teenagers played chicken with their cars driving straight toward each other to see who would swerve first."

to settle an argument or ease tension by hugging

"After the argument, they decided to hug it out."

"The two friends decided to hug it out and forgive each other after their silly argument."

to cheat someone in a clever and often unexpected way

"He pulled a fast one on me."

"The dishonest mechanic tried to pull a fast one by charging me for repairs that my car did not actually need at all."

a fight or brawl that takes place on the streets

"The rumble started after school."

"The rival gangs agreed to settle their dispute with a rumble in the abandoned warehouse district."

to make a false emergency report so heavily armed police raid someone's home

"They will swat him."

"The disgruntled individual decided to swat the celebrity's home out of spite, causing a major police response."

to fight or stand up to someone in a confrontation

"Let's throw down now."

"When confronted by the bully, the smaller student decided it was time to throw down and defend himself."