pitched battle

pitched battle

A volatile fight or argument. There was a pitched battle between both political parties before the election.
See also: battle, pitch
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

pitched battle, a

An intense conflict, as in Their disagreement turned into a pitched battle between the nurses and the physicians' assistants . This term, dating from about 1600, originally alluded to a military battle in which the array of forces and battleground are predetermined (as opposed to a hasty skirmish).
See also: pitch
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

a pitched battle

a fierce fight.
Literally, a pitched battle is one fought on a predetermined ground (the pitch ), as opposed to either a casual skirmish or a running battle (see running).
See also: battle, pitch
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

a ˌpitched ˈbattle


1 a fight that involves a large number of people: There was a pitched battle earlier today between police and demonstrators. Two hundred people were injured, ten seriously.
2 a military battle fought with soldiers arranged in prepared positions
See also: battle, pitch
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

pitched battle, a

An intense fight. Originally a pitched battle meant a battle that had been planned beforehand, with the ground “pitched on,” that is, chosen, and the opposing sides lined up in orderly fashion. The term was used to contrast it with a skirmish or chance encounter, and dates from about 1600. In time, however, it came to be used more loosely for any intense fight in which the combatants are fiercely engaged.
See also: pitch
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • a pitched battle
  • pitched battle, a
  • do battle
  • do/join battle
  • a running battle
  • running battle
  • battle of the bulge
  • bulge
  • draw (the) battle lines
  • half the battle
References in periodicals archive
LAST Friday RTE's Six One news reported 60 men were involved in a pitched battle after a wedding at the Tinakilly House hotel in Co Wicklow.
TRAVELLING DOWN CENSORSHIP ROAD
MORE than a dozen pupils have been suspended from two Kirkcaldy secondary schools after police narrowly prevented a pitched battle.
Pupils banned after fight bid
FINAL WHISTLE: After his 90-minute stand-off' PITCHED BATTLE: Upset McAllister as he demands action yesterday Picture: BRIAN McEVOY
YOU FUEL; Moment soccer fan threatened to set fire to himself & FAI offices. . all because his team wasn't promoted
Two rugby teams were banned for four weeks yesterday after a pitched battle during a game.
Teams are banned for rugby brawl
AN Irish teenager drowned in a hotel pool before dozens of tourists fought a pitched battle with Spanish police, an official said yesterday.
Irish hols teen dies
Pakistan said its troops were in a "pitched battle" with the terrorist group's fighters.
BATTLE FOR BIN'S NO 2; Terror boss 'cornered' in fierce fighting
TWO feuding families armed with a hatchet and wheelbrace fought a pitched battle yesterday - inside a courthouse.
Two injured as families riot in court
Gardai played down reports last night that the rival groups were preparing for a pitched battle.
Travellers attack car
But five were killed during a pitched battle with Israeli troops in the town of Nablus and 130 injured.
Six Arabs shot dead
But four were killed during a pitched battle with Israeli troops in the town of Nablus.
Five Arabs die in demo
More than a dozen flights were cancelled Sunday as thousands of pro-democracy activists blocked routes to Hong Kong's airport, a day after protesters and police fought pitched battles in some of the worst violence seen in the city since unrest began three months ago.
Flights Canceled After Hong Kong Protesters Target Airport
The marches have largely taken place on Saturdays and on several occasions and in several cities the demonstrations have ended up in pitched battles between Yellow Vest marchers, agitators and anarchists and often overwhelmed riot police.
Macron to address French nation on social demands, protests
Stone-pelting youths engaged the security forces in pitched battles in Eidgah and Soura areas of Srinagar and in Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, Baramulla and Sopore towns on Saturday.
Policeman, civilian injured in Srinagar violence critical
The mass protests outside collieries and pitched battles between miners and police as Thatcher took on the unions shattered communities.
Miners' strike review will be worth the wait
Umit Dundar said, while another 90 people -- including 47 civilians -- were killed and 1,154 wounded as Turks poured into the streets to confront tanks amid pitched battles in the main cities.
Turkey coup attempt foiled