argument

arguing for the sake of arguing

Continuing a disagreement solely out of obstinacy. We have a potential compromise, so he's just arguing for the sake of arguing now.
See also: argue, of, sake

arguing for the sake of argument

Continuing a disagreement solely out of obstinacy. We have a potential compromise, so he's just arguing for the sake of argument now.
See also: argue, argument, of, sake

be spoiling for (something)

To be particularly eager or enthusiastic for something. Used especially in the phrase "be spoiling for a fight." Come on, don't engage with that drunken fool, he's spoiling for a fight! We've done everything we can to reach a reasonable compromise with the other party, but they have been spoiling for an argument at every turn.
See also: spoil

for the sake of argument

Just to consider an alternative to something being discussed. I know you want to go to Stanford, but just for the sake of argument, let's talk about what some of the other schools you got into have to offer.
See also: argument, of, sake

get into an argument

To begin to argue with someone about something. So I heard that you two got into an argument last night—what was it about?
See also: argument, get

get into an argument about (someone or something)

To begin to argue with someone about something. So I heard that you and Dan got into an argument about money last night. Please don't get into an argument about politics at the dinner table.
See also: argument, get

get into an argument about (someone or something) with (someone)

To begin to argue with someone about something. So I heard that you got into an argument about money with Dan last night. Please don't get into an argument about politics with anyone at the dinner table.
See also: argument, get

get into an argument over (someone or something)

To begin to argue with someone about something. So I heard that you and Dan got into an argument over money last night. Please don't get into an argument over politics at the dinner table.
See also: argument, get, over

get into an argument over (someone or something) with (someone)

To begin to argue with someone about something. So I heard that you got into an argument over money with Dan last night. Please don't get into an argument over politics with anyone at the dinner table.
See also: argument, get, over

get into an argument with (one) over (someone or something)

To begin to argue with one about someone or something. So I heard that you got into an argument with Dan over money last night. Please don't get into an argument with anyone over politics at the dinner table. I keep getting into arguments with Mary over the kids.
See also: argument, get, over

get into an argument with (someone)

To begin to argue with someone about something. So I heard that you got into an argument with Dan last night—what was it about? Please don't get into an argument with your sister at the dinner table.
See also: argument, get

get into an argument with (someone) about (someone or something)

To begin to argue with someone about something. So I heard that you got into an argument with Dan about money last night. Please don't get into an argument with anyone about politics at the dinner table.
See also: argument, get

have an argument (with someone)

To engage in a verbal fight or disagreement with someone; to argue. Oh boy, what did you and Mom have an argument about this time? I don't want to have an argument with you about your spending every time the credit card bill comes in, OK?
See also: argument, have

pick a quarrel

To act or speak toward someone in an aggressive or antagonistic way so as to provoke them into an argument or fight. I don't know why she was so critical of me tonight—it's like she was trying to pick a quarrel or something. He's the kind of troll who just posts on the message board to pick a quarrel with other members. After ten years of working in this bar, I know how to spot a patron looking to pick a quarrel with people.
See also: pick, quarrel

sledge-hammer argument

A strong argument that eliminates all opposition. I really want to win the debate next week, so I'm preparing a real sledge-hammer argument.
See also: argument

throw (something) back and forth

1. To take turns tossing something between one another. My son and I discussed a lot of things while we threw the baseball back and forth in the back yard. The bullies stole the girl's stuffed animal and threw it back and forth above her head.
2. To discuss various ideas, points, arguments, etc., with one another. We all sat around the table and threw ideas for a new product back and forth. We started something of an informal debate about the topic, throwing arguments and counterpoints back and forth for the duration of the class.
3. To alternate making verbal attacks, insults, quips, etc., at one another. My dad and my boyfriend kept throwing snide remarks back and forth throughout the dinner, until eventually I snapped at them to cut it out. The two presidential candidates spent the entirety of the debate throwing insults back and forth.
See also: and, back, forth, throw

toss (something) back and forth

1. To take turns throwing something lightly or casually between one another. My son and I discussed a lot of things while we tossed the baseball back and forth in the back yard. The bullies stole the girl's stuffed animal and tossed it back and forth above her head.
2. To discuss various ideas, points, arguments, etc., with one another. We all sat around the table and tossed ideas for a new product back and forth. We started something of an informal debate about the topic, tossing arguments and counterpoints back and forth for the duration of the class.
3. To alternate making verbal attacks, insults, quips, etc., at one another. My dad and my boyfriend kept tossing snide remarks back and forth throughout the dinner, until eventually I snapped at them to cut it out. The two presidential candidates spent the entirety of the debate tossing insults back and forth.
See also: and, back, forth, toss
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

arguing for the sake of arguing

 and arguing for the sake of argument
arguing simply to be difficult or contrary. You are just arguing for the sake ofarguing. You don't even know what the issue is. He is annoying, because he is always arguing for the sake of argument.
See also: argue, of, sake

get into an argument (with someone) (about someone or something)

 and get into an argument (with someone) (over someone or something)
to enter a quarrel with someone about someone or something. I don't want to get into an argument with you about Dan. Mary got into an argument about money with Fred. I really don't want to get into an argument.
See also: argument, get

have an argument (with someone)

to argue with someone. Let's not have an argument with the boss. Tom and John had an argument.
See also: argument, have

pick a quarrel

(with someone) Go to pick a fight (with someone).
See also: pick, quarrel
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

argument

see under pick a quarrel.

pick a quarrel

Also, pick an argument or fight . Seek an opportunity to quarrel or argue with someone. For example, I don't want to pick a quarrel with you, or Jason was always in trouble for picking fights. These terms use pick in the sense of "select." [Mid-1400s]
See also: pick, quarrel
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

for the sake of ˈargument

as a starting point for a discussion; to discuss things in theory only: For the sake of argument, let’s say that prices continue to rise by 20 per cent a year.
See also: argument, of, sake

be ˌspoiling for a ˈfight, argument, etc.

want to fight, argue, etc. with somebody very much: Are you spoiling for a fight? The teachers’ union is spoiling for a fight with the Government.
See also: spoil
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • arguing for the sake of arguing
  • arguing for the sake of argument
  • sake
  • argue for
  • come to an understanding with (one)
  • understanding
  • come to an understanding
  • Dem
  • argue with
  • argue with (one)
References in periodicals archive
In his first chapter, which constitutes Part 1, Nagasawa introduces the arguments he will examine, making a case for regarding them as knowledge arguments.
Yujin Nagasawa: God and Phenomenal Consciousness: A Novel Approach to Knowledge Arguments
As noted, these discussions were intended to start a dialogue between the courts and advocates on the benefits of oral argument and ways to preserve and enhance its role in our system of appellate justice.
WITHER ORAL ARGUMENT? THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF APPELLATE LAWYERS SAYS LET'S RESURRECT IT!
In our previous experiments, a domain expert was unable to provide an argument due to the following two reasons.
Arguments in Interactive Machine Learning
Don't even think about reading or memorizing your argument. You're not likely to get very far before the questions begin, you will probably lose your place after answering a question, and you will surely lose the court's interest as soon as you start.
The Art of the Appeal: Part III: Oral Argument
The essence of Kamen's argument is this: the relation between the car and the horse and buggy is analogous to the relation between the Segway and the car.
Connecting to the counterculture: the interview guide
It isn't intuitive, but you can successfully use the Function Arguments dialog for each of the functions in the formula.
The function arguments dialog and nested functions
Considering that at least six representatives from among the public and private respondents are slated to do their presentations, it is anticipated that it will take more than one hearing day to complete the oral arguments, Elamparo said.
Petitioner asks SC to conduct daily oral arguments on Poe DQ case
Simple changes in court operations can make the oral argument process more effective in achieving the goals of correctness and justice.
Improving appellate oral arguments through tentative opinions and focus orders
I'm sure you've had an argument before and later felt that it was the wrong time and place.
10 Golden Rules of Argument
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Inquiries continue into cause of Notre Dame fire -- French minister
At the inception of hearing CJP inquired from Khawaja Haris, arguments have reached upto what level in both references.
SC orders AC to announce decision on NAB references against Nawaz Sharif till Dec 24
1, you won't need to be in the courtroom to hear Minnesota Court of Appeals oral arguments.
Court of Appeals to post oral arguments audio online next year
Minority senators on Tuesday failed to appear before the Supreme Court oral arguments on their petition challenging the government's withdrawal of membership from the International Criminal Court.
Senators failed to appear at debates on ICC petition
Debating war: why arguments opposing American wars and interventions fail, by David J.
Debating war: why arguments opposing American wars and interventions fail