squabble

/'skwɔbl/
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Thân thiện
squabble

Two children squabble over a toy truck in the living room.

Definition

  1. Noun:

    • A noisy, petty, or trivial argument: A "squabble" refers to a minor, often loud, quarrel, typically about something unimportant.

  2. Verb:

    • To engage in a noisy, petty argument: To "squabble" means to argue noisily or angrily about something that is not very important.
Usage
  • As a Noun: Use "squabble" to describe the argument itself.
  • As a Verb: Use "squabble" to describe the act of arguing. It is often followed by "with" (someone) and "over" or "about" (something).
Examples

  • Noun:

    • The children had a silly squabble over who got the bigger piece of cake.
    • The political debate descended into a petty squabble about minor details.

  • Verb:

    • The siblings often squabble over the remote control.
    • Let's not squabble about who is to blame; we need to find a solution.
Advanced Usage
  • "to squabble with someone over/about something": This is the most common structure for the verb.
    • The neighbors squabbled with each other over the property line.
  • "to have a squabble": A common collocation for the noun form.
    • They had a brief squabble but made up quickly.
Variants and Related Words
  • Squabbler (n): A person who frequently engages in petty arguments.
    • He's known as a squabbler who loves to debate trivial points.
Synonyms
  • Bicker (v): To argue about petty matters; very similar to "squabble."
  • Tiff (n): A slight or petty quarrel.
  • Spat (n): A brief, petty quarrel.
Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

(Note: "Squabble" itself is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. The verb is typically used directly.) - Squabble away: (Less common) To spend time squabbling. - They squabbled away the entire afternoon instead of working.

Related Idioms
  • "A storm in a teacup": This idiom describes a situation where people get very angry or worried about something that is not important, similar to the nature of a squabble.
    • Their argument was just a storm in a teacup; it was over nothing.
squabble

Two children squabble over a toy truck in the living room.

Noun
  1. a quarrel about petty points
Verb
  1. argue over petty things
    • Let's not quibble over pennies

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