Arguing is a part of life. Sometimes, we disagree with others, and it can be frustrating. To talk about these feelings in a creative way, people use idioms. These are special phrases that help us express our thoughts and emotions clearly. In this article, we will explore some idioms that are often used when people argue.
Learning these idioms can help you understand how others feel during disagreements. It will also help you describe your own experiences with arguments more easily. So, let’s dive into these useful idioms!
Idioms for Arguing
1. At each other’s throats
Meaning: To argue in a very angry way.
For Example: My brother and sister were at each other’s throats over who gets the last cookie. / The kids were at each other’s throats during the game because no one wanted to lose.
Alternatively: Fighting or yelling loudly at each other.
2. Bite your tongue
Meaning: To stop yourself from saying something that could cause an argument.
For Example: I wanted to argue, but I had to bite my tongue and keep quiet. / She wanted to tell her friend she was wrong, but she decided to bite her tongue.
Alternatively: Holding back what you want to say to avoid trouble.
3. Get into it
Meaning: To start arguing or disagreeing about something.
For Example: They got into it because one person took the other’s pencil without asking. / We got into it over who should be the team captain.
Alternatively: Having a fight or disagreement.
4. Go head to head
Meaning: To argue or compete directly with someone.
For Example: The two students went head to head during the debate. / They went head to head about which movie was the best.
Alternatively: Competing with each other to win or prove a point.
5. Let off steam
Meaning: To express your anger or frustration by arguing.
For Example: After the tough exam, I let off steam by talking about how hard it was. / He let off steam by shouting when his computer froze.
Alternatively: To talk about your feelings when you’re upset.
6. Agree to disagree
Meaning: To accept that two people will not agree and stop arguing.
For Example: After arguing for an hour, we agreed to disagree on which ice cream flavor was the best. / The teacher and the student agreed to disagree about the class rules.
Alternatively: Deciding to stop arguing because you can’t change each other’s mind.
7. Fight fire with fire
Meaning: To respond to an argument with an even stronger argument.
For Example: When my friend insulted my team, I fought fire with fire by defending them. / She fought fire with fire by yelling back at her brother.
Alternatively: Responding to an argument with more anger or force.
8. Raise your voice
Meaning: To speak in a loud and angry way during an argument.
For Example: When the teacher asked why we were arguing, I raised my voice in frustration. / She raised her voice when her brother kept making fun of her.
Alternatively: To shout or speak loudly in anger.
9. Have a bone to pick
Meaning: To want to argue or complain about something.
For Example: I have a bone to pick with you for not sharing the remote. / My mom had a bone to pick with me because I forgot to take out the trash.
Alternatively: To have an issue with someone that needs to be discussed.
10. In hot water
Meaning: To be in trouble because of an argument or mistake.
For Example: After the argument, I was in hot water with my parents for yelling. / She got in hot water when she told her friend’s secret.
Alternatively: Being in trouble or facing consequences because of something you said or did.
11. Blow off steam
Meaning: To release anger or frustration by arguing or doing something active.
For Example: After the tough day at school, I blew off steam by running outside. / He blew off steam by yelling when he lost the game.
Alternatively: To get rid of stress or frustration by expressing it loudly.
12. Go round in circles
Meaning: To argue without reaching any solution or making progress.
For Example: We went round in circles during the discussion about where to go for vacation. / They went round in circles when they tried to solve the problem.
Alternatively: Arguing or talking without getting anywhere.
13. Throw in the towel
Meaning: To stop arguing because you feel it’s pointless.
For Example: After hours of arguing, he threw in the towel and said he was done. / She threw in the towel when the discussion wasn’t going anywhere.
Alternatively: Giving up or stopping the argument.
14. Hit the roof
Meaning: To get very angry during an argument.
For Example: Dad hit the roof when I broke his favorite mug. / She hit the roof when I didn’t clean my room.
Alternatively: To become very upset or lose control of your temper.
15. Get under someone’s skin
Meaning: To make someone angry or irritated.
For Example: His loud talking really got under my skin during class. / She got under my skin when she kept interrupting me.
Alternatively: Annoying or irritating someone.
16. Keep your cool
Meaning: To stay calm even when someone is arguing with you.
For Example: I tried to keep my cool when my friend blamed me for the mistake. / He kept his cool even though his sister was yelling.
Alternatively: Staying calm and not reacting angrily.
17. The gloves are off
Meaning: When people stop being polite and start arguing seriously.
For Example: When the debate started, the gloves were off, and everyone got really intense. / The gloves were off during the competition, and no one was holding back.
Alternatively: Ready to argue or fight seriously.
18. Put the cat among the pigeons
Meaning: To cause trouble or start an argument by saying something unexpected.
For Example: His comment about the movie really put the cat among the pigeons. / She put the cat among the pigeons when she revealed the secret.
Alternatively: Saying something that causes trouble or conflict.
19. Call it quits
Meaning: To end an argument because it’s not going anywhere.
For Example: After 30 minutes of arguing, we called it quits and decided to go home. / We called it quits after arguing for an hour.
Alternatively: Stopping or ending something, like an argument.
20. Fire up
Meaning: To become very angry during an argument.
For Example: He fired up when I questioned his decision. / She fired up when her brother ate her last cookie.
Alternatively: Getting very upset or angry quickly.
21. Split hairs
Meaning: To argue about very small details that don’t matter much.
For Example: We split hairs over which color pen to use for the project. / Don’t split hairs about who is right, just finish the game!
Alternatively: Arguing over tiny, unimportant details.
22. In the heat of the moment
Meaning: To argue or do something quickly because of strong emotions.
For Example: He said something mean in the heat of the moment, but he didn’t really mean it. / I threw the pillow in the heat of the moment because I was angry.
Alternatively: Reacting quickly while feeling very emotional.
23. Agree to disagree
Meaning: To accept that both sides won’t agree and stop arguing.
For Example: After a long discussion, we agreed to disagree about which pizza topping was best. / They agreed to disagree on who should be the team captain.
Alternatively: Accepting that the argument is not going to be resolved.
24. A battle of words
Meaning: A situation where two people argue using many words.
For Example: The debate turned into a real battle of words, with both sides arguing loudly. / It was a battle of words during the discussion about the school play.
Alternatively: An argument with a lot of talking or disagreement.
25. Throw someone under the bus
Meaning: To blame someone else in an argument to save yourself.
For Example: During the argument, she threw me under the bus by saying I was the one who made the mistake. / He threw his friend under the bus when the teacher asked who started the fight.
Alternatively: Blaming someone else to get out of trouble.
26. At loggerheads
Meaning: To be in a strong disagreement or argument.
For Example: My parents are at loggerheads about what to do for our vacation. / They were at loggerheads about the new rules for the school.
Alternatively: Arguing or disagreeing strongly.
27. Stir the pot
Meaning: To make a situation more complicated by arguing or causing trouble.
For Example: He always stirs the pot during family meetings with his jokes. / She stirred the pot by bringing up an old argument.
Alternatively: Causing trouble or making things worse.
28. On the warpath
Meaning: To be very angry and ready to argue.
For Example: She was on the warpath when she found out someone had taken her lunch. / He was on the warpath after losing the game.
Alternatively: Looking for an argument or to fight.
29. Get your wires crossed
Meaning: To misunderstand someone and start arguing.
For Example: We got our wires crossed and argued about the wrong plans for the weekend. / She got her wires crossed when she thought I was mad at her.
Alternatively: Misunderstanding and starting an argument because of it.
30. Take the high road
Meaning: To avoid arguing and act in a calm, respectful way.
For Example: Even when he was teased, he took the high road and didn’t argue. / She always takes the high road and doesn’t argue with people.
Alternatively: Choosing to stay calm and not engage in an argument.
31. Give someone a piece of your mind
Meaning: To tell someone your thoughts, especially when you’re angry.
For Example: I gave him a piece of my mind when he broke my toy. / She gave me a piece of her mind when I didn’t help with the chores.
Alternatively: Telling someone exactly how you feel.
32. Lock horns
Meaning: To argue or fight with someone.
For Example: My friends locked horns over which game to play. / The two neighbors locked horns about the fence.
Alternatively: To get into a disagreement or fight.
33. Beat around the bush
Meaning: To avoid talking directly about the argument or issue.
For Example: Stop beating around the bush and just tell me why you’re upset. / He kept beating around the bush when we asked about the problem.
Alternatively: Avoiding the real topic or argument.
34. Get your back up
Meaning: To become defensive or upset in an argument.
For Example: She got her back up when I pointed out her mistake. / He gets his back up every time someone criticizes his team.
Alternatively: Getting upset or defensive in an argument.
35. Cross swords
Meaning: To argue or have a disagreement with someone.
For Example: The two teachers crossed swords over how to manage the class. / They crossed swords when discussing who should lead the project.
Alternatively: To have a disagreement or argue.
36. Under your breath
Meaning: To argue or complain quietly so others can’t hear.
For Example: She mumbled under her breath when she didn’t agree with the teacher. / He was talking under his breath when he didn’t like the decision.
Alternatively: Speaking quietly, usually in frustration.
37. Throw a tantrum
Meaning: To react angrily, often like a child, during an argument.
For Example: He threw a tantrum when he didn’t get the toy he wanted. / She threw a tantrum after losing the game.
Alternatively: A sudden, loud, angry outburst.
38. Jump down someone’s throat
Meaning: To react angrily and loudly to what someone says.
For Example: I just asked a question, but she jumped down my throat. / He jumped down his friend’s throat when he made a small mistake.
Alternatively: Getting angry quickly during a conversation.
39. On the same page
Meaning: To agree or understand something in the same way.
For Example: Before we argue, let’s make sure we’re on the same page. / It’s important to be on the same page when planning the party.
Alternatively: Understanding or agreeing on something.
40. Get into a heated discussion
Meaning: To have an argument that becomes very intense.
For Example: We got into a heated discussion about which movie was better. / They got into a heated discussion over who should be the team captain.
Alternatively: An argument that gets very intense or emotional.
True/False Quiz for “Idioms for Arguing”
- If someone says “They are at each other’s throats,” it means they are friends and not arguing.
True / False - “Bite your tongue” means to speak your mind and say whatever you want.
True / False - “Go round in circles” means making clear progress in an argument.
True / False - If you “Throw in the towel,” it means you continue to argue even harder.
True / False - When someone says “He hit the roof,” it means they’re calm and collected.
True / False - “Get under someone’s skin” means to make someone feel happy.
True / False - “The gloves are off” means people are being polite and calm.
True / False - To “Keep your cool” means to stay calm and avoid getting angry.
True / False - “Put the cat among the pigeons” means to say something that calms everyone down.
True / False - “Call it quits” means to keep arguing without stopping.
True / False
Answer Key
- False
- False
- False
- False
- False
- False
- False
- True
- False
- False
Scoring Guide
- 10 Correct Answers: Idioms Master!
- 7–9 Correct Answers: You really get Idioms nice work!
- 4–6 Correct Answers: You’re learning, keep going!
- 0–3 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about Idioms together!
Conclusion
Arguing is something everyone experiences at one point or another. Using idioms helps us explain how we feel when we’re upset or frustrated. By understanding these idioms, we can describe our emotions more clearly and also understand how others feel during disagreements.
Now that you’ve learned some idioms related to arguing, you can use them in conversations to express your feelings or describe situations more easily. Keep practicing these idioms, and soon, they will become a natural part of your everyday speech!
