fight like Kilkenny cats

fight like Kilkenny cats

To fight almost to the death. The phrase alludes to an Irish fable in which two cats fought and nearly killed each other. This team does not give up, so we need to fight like Kilkenny cats if we're going to beat them. By the time I called the police, those two were fighting like Kilkenny cats.
See also: cat, fight, like
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

fight like Kilkenny cats

BRITISH, OLD-FASHIONED
If people fight like Kilkenny cats, they fight or disagree very violently. For six years Mr Wilder and Mr Robb have been fighting like Kilkenny cats. Note: This expression comes from the story of two cats in the Irish town of Kilkenny, which are said to have fought each other until only their tails were left.
See also: cat, fight, like
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • Abraham
  • Abraham's bosom
  • beggar
  • beggar on horseback
  • a beggar on horseback
  • be pushing up (the) daisies
  • be pushing up daisies
  • be pushing up the daisies
  • answer the bell
  • be straining at the leash