English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Come to blows
Meaning
The idiom "come to blows" means to reach a final stage of conflict or disagreement where direct confrontation and physical fighting occur. It's often used to describe situations where all attempts at negotiation and compromise have failed, leading to a violent resolution. The phrase is derived from the legal term "coming to blows," which refers to when two parties in a lawsuit decide to go to trial instead of settling out of court.
Usage
- After several failed attempts to resolve their differences, the couple finally came to blows and ended up divorcing.
- The business partners had been arguing for weeks, but it wasn't until they came to blows at the meeting that things started to escalate.
- The workers had been on strike for months, and when they came to blows with management over pay negotiations, the company was forced to shut down temporarily.
- The two neighbors had a long-standing feud, and it finally boiled over when they came to blows during a heated argument about property lines.
- The politician's opponents had been attacking him relentlessly in the media, but he refused to back down until he came to blows with them on the debate stage.
Roots and History
The phrase "come to blows" has its origins in medieval England when knights would engage in combat during tournaments or battles. The term was used to describe when two opponents finally met face-to-face and fought each other, often resulting in injury or death. Over time, the phrase was applied to any situation where two parties reached a final stage of conflict or disagreement, regardless of whether physical fighting occurred.
Synonyms in English
- "Blow up" - To become extremely angry or upset.
- "Explode" - To suddenly become very angry or aggressive.
- "Fight tooth and nail" - To engage in a bitter struggle, often with great determination.
- "Push to the brink" - To force someone into a difficult or dangerous situation.
- "Go to war" - To engage in a conflict that involves physical violence.
Synonyms in other languages
- French: "Comme un chat dans les cordes" (Like a cat in a noose)
- German: "Das ist der letzte Punkt" (That's the last straw)
- Italian: "Voglio che mi lascino solo il cuore" (I only want my heart left)
- Spanish: "Estoy en peligro de muerte" (I'm in danger of death)
- Russian: "Я готов к смерти" (I'm ready to die)