fight
noun
Definitions of fight noun
- B1Countable
An argument or a situation where someone uses physical force to try to defeat another person.
Jeff is always getting involved in or starting fights.
The older boys intervened and stopped the fight.
I had a major argument with her about the phone bill.
- B2Countable
A situation requiring significant effort to defeat someone or achieve a goal, or to prevent something from happening.
We must continue our efforts to combat homelessness.
After a long battle with cancer, he passed away last week.
They competed well against a more experienced team.
- Uncountable
The desire or capacity to engage in combat or to act with vigor and determination.
The team entered the field with a strong fighting spirit.
verb
Definitions of fight verb
- B1TransitiveIntransitive
To use physical force to try to defeat another person or group of people.
Some children were fighting in the schoolyard at the time.
The soldiers engaged in combat from house to house.
They joined forces with the North to fight against the South.
- B2TransitiveIntransitive
To make a significant effort to defeat or achieve something, or to prevent something from occurring.
He bravely fought against the illness for three years.
We need the public's cooperation to fight against crime.
He is actively fighting against racism.
- B2Intransitiveinformal
To argue.
I hope they won't argue in front of the children.
I overheard them arguing about money again.
Idioms
- fight your corner
To defend or argue for oneself or something one believes in.
• In the meeting, she had to fight her corner for her team's budget proposal.
- He who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day
This idiom suggests that withdrawing from a difficult situation can be a wise and justifiable decision, allowing one to avoid immediate harm and potentially return to the challenge later.
• Faced with overwhelming enemy forces, they chose to retreat, understanding that 'he who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day'.
- fight it out
To argue or compete fiercely in order to obtain a limited resource or opportunity, until a winner is decided.
• There is only one promotion available in the company, so the employees will have to fight it out to get it.
- fight shy of
To deliberately avoid something, often due to a lack of confidence or a wish to not be involved.
• In the past, he always fought shy of public speaking.
- fight fire with fire
To retaliate using the same methods that one's opponent is using.
• Faced with cyberbullying, she decided to fight fire with fire and publicly retaliate.
- fight a losing battle
To persistently try to achieve something despite knowing that success is impossible.
• Trying to convince him to change his mind is like fighting a losing battle.
- a fight to the finish
A conflict or competition in which the participants are committed to continue fighting or competing until one side is completely defeated.
• The market competition between the two companies has turned into a fight to the finish.
- he who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day
This idiom suggests that withdrawing from a difficult situation can be a wise decision to preserve one's resources and strength, allowing for a future opportunity to fight.
• Faced with a formidable opponent, he chose to retreat, knowing that 'he who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day'.
Phrasal Verbs of fight
- fight back
to protect yourself against a physical attack
• When faced with the harassment, she learned to fight back and refused to be hurt again.