argue

ar|gue

W1S1 [ˈa:gju: US ˈa:r-] v

[Date: 1300-1400; : Old French; Origin: arguer, from Latin arguere 'to make clear']

1.)

to disagree with someone in words, often in an angry way

▪ We could hear the neighbours arguing.

argue with

▪ Gallacher continued to argue with the referee throughout the game.

argue about

▪ They were arguing about how to spend the money.

argue over

▪ The children were arguing over which TV programme to watch.

2.) [I and T]

to state, giving clear reasons, that something is true, should be done etc

argue that

▪ Croft argued that a date should be set for the withdrawal of troops.

▪ It could be argued that a dam might actually increase the risk of flooding.

argue for/against (doing) sth

▪ Baker argued against cutting the military budget.

▪ She argued the case for changing the law.

▪ The researchers put forward a well-argued case for banning the drug.

▪ They argued the point (=discussed it) for hours without reaching a conclusion.

3.) argue sb into/out of doing sth

[i]BrE to persuade someone to do or not do something

▪ Joyce argued me into buying a new jacket.

4.) [T] formal

to show that something clearly exists or is true

▪ The statement argues a change of attitude by the management.

5.) argue the toss

BrE informal to continue to argue about a decision that has been made and cannot be changed

▪ There was no point arguing the toss after the goal had been disallowed.

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WORD FOCUS: argue

synonyms: fight, quarrel, have a row (BrE)

to argue about unimportant things: squabble, bicker, quibble

to stop arguing: bury the hatchet, settle your differences, make your peace with somebody, make it up (=used about friends or lovers)

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