Definition

Noun: 1. Boxing at close quarters: A style of boxing where the fighters are positioned very close to each other. 2. Conflict between members of the same organization (usually concealed from outsiders): Intense rivalry, disagreement, or power struggles that occur within a group, team, or organization, often kept private.

Usage and Examples

• Referring to internal conflict:
  • The constant in-fighting among the board members paralyzed the company's decision-making.
  • Political in-fighting within the party weakened its public image before the election.
• Referring to boxing (less common in general usage):
  • The champion is known for his skill in in-fighting, dominating his opponents at close range.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used metaphorically to describe any intense internal dispute, not just physical combat. It implies a destructive, divisive, and often hidden conflict.
• It is typically used as an uncountable noun (e.g., "too much in-fighting," "the in-fighting was intense").

Variants and Related Words

• In-fight (verb, rare/archaic): To engage in close-quarter boxing or internal conflict.
• Infighter (noun): A boxer who specializes in fighting at close quarters; or, by extension, a person who engages in internal disputes.

Synonyms

• Internal strife
• Factionalism
• Internecine conflict
• Power struggle
• Bickering (though this suggests pettier, less intense conflict)

Related Idioms and Phrases

• A house divided: While not a direct synonym, this idiom conveys a similar idea of internal conflict causing weakness.

Noun

1. boxing at close quarters
2. conflict between members of the same organization (usually concealed from outsiders)