- battle
- bat|tle1 W2 [ˈbætl] n▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1¦(fight)¦2¦(competition/argument)¦3¦(change bad situation)¦4 be half the battle5 a battle of wits6 battle of wills7 do battle (with somebody)8 fight your own battles9 the battle of the sexes10 the battle of the bulge▬▬▬▬▬▬▬[Date: 1200-1300; : Old French; Origin: bataille, from Late Latin battalia 'fighting', from Latin battuere 'to hit']1.) ¦(FIGHT)¦a fight between opposing armies, groups of ships, groups of people etc, especially one that is part of a larger war▪ the Battle of Trafalgarin battle▪ Her son was killed in battle.into battle▪ a knight riding into battlebattle between▪ battles between government forces and the rebels▪ a pitched battle (=a long and serious battle) between police and drug gangs2.) ¦(COMPETITION/ARGUMENT)¦a situation in which opposing groups or people compete or argue with each other when trying to achieve success or control▪ a long-running legal battlebattle for▪ a battle for custody of their childrenbattle between▪ a fierce ratings battle between rival TV stationsbattle with▪ an on-going battle with my mother about eating properly3.) ¦(CHANGE BAD SITUATION)¦an attempt to solve a difficult problem or change an unpleasant situationbattle against▪ a battle against the racism of the school systembattle with▪ a long battle with lung cancerbattle for▪ Scientology has fought long battles for acceptance as a religion.▪ Learning to read as an adult is tough work, but you can win this battle if you try.▪ We've tried to mend the fence several times, but we're fighting a losing battle .▪ Keeping the house tidy is an uphill battle when the kids are all at home.4.) be half the battleto be a difficult or important part of what you have to do▪ Just getting an interview is half the battle.5.) a battle of witsa situation in which opposing sides try to win by using their intelligence▪ A good mystery story is a battle of wits between author and reader.6.) battle of willsa situation in which opposing sides refuse to change what they want, in the hope that the other side will decide to change first▪ a battle of wills between teacher and student7.) do battle (with sb)to argue with someone or fight against someone▪ She walked into the room with her eyes blazing, ready to do battle.8.) fight your own battlesto argue with someone or compete in a difficult situation without having help from other people - used to show approval▪ It's all right, Mum. I can fight my own battles.9.) the battle of the sexesthe relationship between men and women when it is considered as a fight for power10.) the battle of the bulgethe act of trying to lose weight - used humorously▬▬▬▬▬▬▬COLLOCATES for sense 3fight a battlewin a battlelose a battlea losing battle (=something you cannot achieve)an uphill battle (=something that is very difficult to do)▬▬▬▬▬▬▬battle 2battle2 v1.) [I and T]to try very hard to achieve something that is difficult or dangerous▪ Firefighters battled the flames for four hours last night.battle against/with▪ She had battled bravely against cancer.battle for▪ a pressure group battling for better schoolsbattle to do sth▪ Doctors battled to save his life.2.) battle it outto keep fighting or opposing each other until one person or team wins▪ 32 teams will battle it out in the finals.3.) [i]literaryto take part in a fight or war
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.
