pitched battle

noun

1. a battle in which the orderly arrangement of armed forces and the location have been predetermined.
2. an encounter in which the antagonists are completely and intensely engaged:

   The dispute evolved into a pitched battle between management and labor.

pitched battle

noun

1. a battle ensuing from the deliberate choice of time and place, engaging all the planned resources
2. any fierce encounter, esp one with large numbers

Word History and Origins

Origin of pitched battle¹

First recorded in 1600–10

Example Sentences

These demands fueled a pitched battle on campuses over “multiculturalism” that pitted these activists against conservative school boards.

From Washington Post

The fiscal cliff was the front edge; next, a pitched battle will gather on the debt ceiling.

From The Daily Beast

Yes, the president will face a pitched battle after the New Year.

From The Daily Beast

A pitched battle between the two sides ensued, leaving at least six dead and hundreds injured.

From The Daily Beast

A pitched battle ensues and at last David finds the courage to retaliate.

From The Daily Beast

On this the other barons made war upon him, and defeated him in a pitched battle.

From Project Gutenberg

In the last invasion the privateersmen were defeated in an open pitched battle.

From Project Gutenberg

This affair gave the Romans better spirits for engaging in a pitched battle, and had the contrary effect on the Carthaginians.

From Project Gutenberg

Who could assure her they would not have another pitched battle?

From Project Gutenberg

But there had been no pitched battle on a grand scale; and it had even begun to seem that there never would be.

From Project Gutenberg