argy-bargy

American

[ahr-gee-bahr-gee] / ˈɑr giˈbɑr gi /

noun

Chiefly British.

a vigorous discussion or dispute.

argy-bargy British

/ ˈɑːdʒɪˈbɑːdʒɪ /

noun

Also called: argle-bargle. informal a wrangling argument or verbal dispute

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

argy-bargies

plural

Etymology

Origin of argy-bargy

First recorded in 1595–1605; alteration of argle-bargle

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I don’t want to get into an argy-bargy about his character, we want to win this on policy.”

From The Guardian • Jun. 22, 2019

Bit of argy-bargy between Hartley and the Italy front-row, Barritt pinged for tackling Canale in the air.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2012

Fornieles' fixed expression as he tries to stay on top of things is reminiscent of a nightclub owner off to sort out some argy-bargy in the queue.

From The Guardian • Jan. 21, 2011

Sharpening up her elbows for some plank-based argy-bargy, goes for Britain in the women's ski cross .

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2010

Instead you will engage in some direct-action argy-bargy!

From "Eats, Shoots & Leaves" by Author

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023