a turf war

turf war

1. An ongoing fight among factions, often criminal ones, attempting to control a particular territory (i.e. their "turf"). The neighborhood has been torn apart by the turf war between the two gangs.
2. By extension, a dispute or hostile environment among persons or factions competing for a particular position, or influence in a particular area. The school newspaper has become the scene of a turf war among several ambitious students who all want to add "editor" to their college applications. The electoral map has become nothing more than a diagram of the turf war between the two parties.
See also: turf, war
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a ˈturf war

(informal) an argument or a dispute about who owns or controls an area: Street violence has escalated as a result of a turf war between rival neighbourhood gangs. Turf wars are inevitable when two departments are merged.
In informal language, your turf is the place where you live and/or work, especially when you think of it as your own.
See also: turf, war
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • turf war
  • (all) torn up
  • torn up
  • bone up
  • bone up on (something)
  • surf and turf
  • torn back
  • war
  • be barking up the wrong tree
  • live to do
References in periodicals archive
It's drug-related and they are having a turf war there,' Mr.
Duterte: Leyte bombing done by 'Moros' in turf war over drugs
But two loyalist paramilitary factions have declared a turf war in the heart of the community.
Loyalist turf war fears after row over gable walls; EXCLUSIVE
Bishopbriggs and north Glasgow are at the centre of a turf war between the rival Lyons and Daniel gangland clans.
Two shot in gang attacks
A TURF war between rival drug gangs could be behind shootings in Huddersfield.
'TURF WAR' FEARS AS SHOOTINGS ARE LINKED; Car gunshot 'reprisal' for Huddersfield killing
A TURF war has broken out in Swaziland over players planting lucky charms under the national stadium's turf.
In charm's way; WORLD OF FOOTBALL
They are carried illegally to further a turf war and very often that turf war is driven by the drugs trade."
Lords defeat; POLITICS GUN POWERS
A turf war between the Di Lauro clan and a breakaway group began in November, triggering a string of police crackdowns.
Top Naples mafia boss is captured
The murders were earned out by local commanders as part of a turf War and are known to the Afghan government.
Doctors Without Borders close projects in Afghanistan
A TURF war between rival cockle gangs was blamed last night for a collision between two tractors that left more than 140 cockle pickers stranded four miles from shore.
144 COCKLE PICKERS SAVED IN MORECAMBE BAY
DONALD Dewar and John Reid buried the hatchet yesterday in their first public show of unity since rumours of a turf war surfaced.
Thumping good pals
TWO men were blasted in a shotgun and pistol attack yesterday in what police believe is the start of a turf war between rival drug gangs.
Two Blasted In Point Blank Drug Gang Hit; Cops fear turf war