cross swords

Idioms  

1. Fight, either verbally or physically. For example, At every policy meeting the two vice-presidents crossed swords. This phrase alludes to the ancient form of combat using swords. Also see at sword's point.

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Example Sentences

Britain and Rwanda cross swords at an international court from Wednesday, with Kigali seeking more than £100 million it says London still owes from a scrapped deal to deport migrants.

From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026

Because of their ubiquity, on the island and globally, foxes are a cute, however curious, choice over which to cross swords.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 4, 2023

"Magritte wanted to cross swords, meaning to engage in a theoretical combat with the philosophers, to prove to them that images can express thoughts in the same way that words can," Ottinger said.

From Reuters • Sep. 22, 2016

Ed McMahon's Winning Express and the Mark Johnston-trained Baileys Jubilee finished second and third respectively in the Cheveley Park Stakes last term and are set to cross swords again, along with eighth-placed Jadanna.

From The Guardian • Apr. 15, 2013

I wanted very much to cross swords with Percy Yutar, but it was more important that I use the platform to highlight our grievances.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela