At daggers drawn

Meaning

The idiom "at daggers drawn" means to be extremely hostile, bitter, or in a state of conflict. It implies that the parties involved are ready to engage in physical violence.

Usage

• The two siblings were at daggers drawn after their parents' divorce, and they stopped speaking to each other for years.
• The rival companies were at daggers drawn over market share, and they engaged in a brutal price war.
• The politician was at daggers drawn with his opponents during the election campaign.
• The couple had been together for years but were at daggers drawn after discovering an affair.
• The team's morale was low, and they were at daggers drawn with their coach, who was demanding more from them.

Roots and History

The idiom "at daggers drawn" dates back to the Renaissance period when fencing was a popular sport in Europe. Dagger fighting was an essential part of the game, and the phrase was used to describe the state of tension and conflict between two opponents who were ready to engage in physical violence. Over time, the idiom has evolved to mean any situation where two or more parties are at odds with each other. It is commonly used in contemporary language to describe a wide range of conflicts, including political, social, and personal conflicts.

Synonyms in English

• At odds
• In conflict
• In opposition
• Opposed to
• Polarized

Synonyms in other languages

• Español: En contraparte
• Français: Avec l'ennemi
• Italiano: Con il nemico
• German: Mit dem Gegner
• Arabic: ثلاثي العدوي

Similar Idioms

• bite head off

• as broad as long

• tick off