Conflict idioms

23 conflict idioms with what each one means. Tap one for its origin, examples and a quick check.

All's fair in love and war
All's fair in love and war means that in very competitive situations, like romance or conflict, people may break the usual rules of fair behavior.
An eye for an eye
An eye for an eye is the idea that someone who causes harm should be punished with the same harm in return.
Armed to the teeth
If someone is armed to the teeth, they are carrying a lot of weapons. Figuratively, it means fully prepared or equipped.
Back against the wall
If your back is against the wall, you are in a very difficult situation with few choices left, so you must fight hard or give in.
Below the belt
Something below the belt is unfair or unkind, especially a remark that attacks a person's weak spot.
Beyond the pale
If behavior is beyond the pale, it is so rude, shocking or unfair that most people find it completely unacceptable.
Bite me
Bite me is a rude, dismissive reply that means roughly "leave me alone" or "I don't care what you think."
Burn bridges
To burn bridges is to act in a way that destroys a relationship or opportunity, so you cannot go back to it later.
Bury the hatchet
To bury the hatchet means to stop arguing or fighting with someone and make peace.
Chip on your shoulder
Someone with a chip on their shoulder holds a grudge or feels treated unfairly, which makes them touchy, defensive or eager to prove themselves.
Devil's advocate
Someone who plays devil's advocate argues for a side they may not believe in, to test an idea or start a useful debate.
Fight fire with fire
To fight fire with fire means to respond to an attack or problem by using the same methods or tactics as your opponent.
Fly off the handle
If you fly off the handle, you suddenly lose your temper and become very angry, often over something small.
It takes two to tango
It takes two to tango means that when a problem or situation involves two people, both share the responsibility.
Let sleeping dogs lie
Let sleeping dogs lie means avoid stirring up an old problem or argument that is quiet now, because doing so could cause trouble.
Rock the boat
To rock the boat is to cause trouble or upset a calm situation, often by questioning how things are done.
See eye to eye
If two people see eye to eye, they agree with each other or share the same opinion.
Stand your ground
To stand your ground means to refuse to back down or change your position when someone pressures, challenges or argues with you.
Stir the pot
To stir the pot is to cause trouble or arguments on purpose, often by saying something that gets people upset or excited.
Take a hike
Take a hike is a rude way of telling someone to go away or leave you alone.
Throw someone under the bus
To throw someone under the bus means to blame or sacrifice someone, often a friend or colleague, to protect yourself or gain an advantage.
Walk on eggshells
To walk on eggshells is to be extremely careful about what you say or do so you don't upset someone.
Water under the bridge
Something that is water under the bridge happened in the past and is no longer worth worrying or arguing about.

Conflict idioms

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