handbags at dawn

handbags at dawn

A confrontation or disagreement that is highly aggressive, emotionally expressive, or dramatic, but which does not end or result in violence. Used originally and primarily in reference to football (soccer) players, who would be sent off if they engaged in violent actions, the phrase is a play on the clichéd "pistols at dawn," indicating a forthcoming pistol duel. Primarily heard in UK. It was handbags at dawn between the two players, who had been verbally taunting one another throughout the match.
See also: dawn, handbag
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • handbag
  • handbags at ten paces
  • damaged
  • be not (oneself)
  • not oneself
  • not feeling (oneself)
  • (one's) heart isn't in it
  • heart in it, have one's
  • heart not in it
  • emotional affair
References in periodicals archive
What do you think would be the outcome if we compared, say, the Battle of Hastings in 1066 to a mere case of handbags at dawn? Perhaps if he did his research before shooting his mouth off he might avoid being dubbed the "ignoramus who triggered the break-up of the UK".
Kielty right to call out clown BoJo; COMMENT 2nd floor, 9A Beckett Way, Park West Industrial Park, Clondalkin, Dublin 12 Tel: 01 868 8600, Fax 01 868 8626, irishmirror.ie
IT was handbags at dawn as hordes of shoppers queued from the early hours to snap up bargains in Manchester's Boxing Day sales.
Thousands hit sales for Boxing Day bargains..
THE APPRENTICE BBC1, 9PM HANDBAGS at dawn, it's a fashion task, which means the bad business decisions are made over some ridiculous outfits.
BEST OF THE REST
BEST OF THE REST Karren and Claude look on during Team Vitality's pitch THE APPRENTICE BBC1, 9pm HANDBAGS at dawn, it's a fashion task, which means the bad business decisions are made over some ridiculous outfits.
BEST OF THE REST
Hookem has insisted he didn't punch Woolfe and described the incident as "handbags at dawn".
Hurt MEP Bruises are mark of attack
It's handbags at dawn this week as high-street textile tycoon Suleyman clashes with the fiery entrepreneurs behind a fledgling fashion business.
Dragons still breathe fire into format
It's been handbags at dawn on the cobbles and the Liverpool actor - who plays Michael Rodwell - says being involved in their spat has been "a dream."
CORONATION Street's Les Dennis says it's [...]; INSIDER GOSSIP
And when parish councillor Barry Fairbrother dies suddenly, it's handbags at dawn in the fight for his seat.
SUNDAY TV CHOICE FEBRUARY 15; TVGUIDE
The Apprentice BBC One, 9pm It's certainly been a dramatic series - from the triple firing that followed the YouTube channel task, to the flat-cap handbags at dawn between Daniel, Mark and Felipe over who should get to sell hot tubs at a country show, there's been no shortage of tension.
DYDD SUL
THE APPRENTICE BBC1, 9pm It's certainly been a dramatic series - from the triple firing that followed the YouTube channel task, to the flat-cap handbags at dawn between Daniel, Mark and Felipe over who should get to sell hot tubs at a country show, there's been no shortage of tension.
TV CHOICE
Over on the other team, it's flat-cap handbags at dawn, as Daniel and Felipe spend their whole day at the show arguing instead of selling.
BOSS OSS HOG HOG; James is set to make a pig's ear of pork-based challenge as he takes charge at country show
We have heard of handbags at dawn but microphones at teatime is a new one on all of us.
Sale signs still up at desirable Dettori dwelling; THE DIKLER
Lets just hope that there won't be handbags at dawn over this!
Shatha Hassoun and Ahlam the new 'Beauty and the Beast'
FORGET handbags at dawn. It will more likely be running spikes at the ready when Katie Price tackles the London Marathon - at the same time as ex-hubby Peter Andre's new squeeze.
Claws are out for marathon rivals
He's been on telly now for six years, plenty of time for his head to have disappeared, but thankfully it's still firmly on his shoulders, and if anyone ever says otherwise in my presence, well, it'll be Chanel handbags at dawn.
WAN-DERFUL GOK IS MY HERO!