knockdown-dragout
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective: - Extremely violent or intense: Describes a conflict, argument, or fight that is fierce, unrestrained, and often lengthy. It implies a no-holds-barred struggle where the participants are completely committed to defeating each other.
Usage
This adjective is used attributively (before a noun) to describe the nature of a confrontation. It is hyphenated when used before a noun. - It modifies nouns like fight, argument, battle, or debate to emphasize their severity.
Examples
- The two politicians had a knockdown-dragout debate that lasted for hours.
- Their disagreement over the contract turned into a knockdown-dragout argument.
- The meeting was a knockdown-dragout affair, with everyone shouting.
Advanced Usage
- The phrase can sometimes be used metaphorically to describe any intensely competitive or arduous situation that is not physically violent.
- The final round of the chess tournament was a knockdown-dragout mental battle.
Variants and Related Words
- Knock-down-drag-out: An alternative, less common hyphenation. The meaning is identical.
- No-holds-barred (adjective): Similar in meaning, indicating that no rules or restraints are in place.
- Bitter (adjective): While less intense, it describes a conflict filled with strong animosity.
- Acrimonious (adjective): Describes anger and bitterness in speech or manner, often in arguments.
Synonyms
- Fierce
- All-out
- Vicious
- Brutal
- Unrestrained
Related Idioms
- To duke it out: To fight or compete fiercely until a winner is decided.
- The two boxers duked it out for twelve rounds.
- A battle royal: A fierce fight or dispute involving many people.
- The boardroom meeting turned into a battle royal.
Adjective
- extremely violent
- a knock-down-and-drag-out fight