fight to death

fight to death

1. noun A bitter, hard-fought conflict that ends in the death of one of the participants. The battle between this lion and water buffalo truly is a fight to the death—the victory of one ensures the demise of the other. The underground competition features experienced fighters from all over the world engaging in fights to the death.
2. noun An extremely difficult or serious challenge. Used hyperbolically. It was a fight to the death getting that old lawnmower working again, but by God I did it! We knew it would be a fight to the death negotiating the contract with their firm.
3. verb To engage in a bitter, hard-fought conflict that ends in the death of one of the participants. I know it's morbid, but one of the things I like best about nature documentaries is watching predators and their prey fighting to the death. The crime boss forced the two underlings to fight to the death, with the winner being spared any further punishment.
See also: death, fight
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • fire and brimstone
  • angle
  • angling
  • high
  • high, wide, and handsome
  • wear (one's) apron high
  • bummer
  • beater
References in periodicals archive
The Taliban, meanwhile, are digging in for a fight to death, the Pentagon has said, increasing the chances of heavier fighting that could endanger civilians.
Concern over Afghan civilians slows NATO advance
Ras Al Khaimah: An Emirati woman yesterday took over the home of her ex-husband and refused to let him enter, claiming she was ready to fight to death to keep this house for herself and her children.
Woman takes control of former husband's house
Roosters are made to fight to death and are prepared by having their beaks sharpened and blades attached to their legs.
Cockfighting tourneys in vogue on weekends
If they arrange a one off special of 'The Games' involving a fight to death between Jonathan King and Gary Glitter, all will be forgiven
BASCOMBE ON THE BOX
"Animals would fight to death and while I was there I managed to stop fights and prevent the defeated animal being eaten...
RACED TO DEATH; Dogs maltreated in Spanish greyhound exporting horror
Betrayal and plotting culminate in a final fight to death where only the most ruthless will survive.
Troop, Alan F. The dragon DelaSangre
But the remaining followers of Misuari in Zamboanga City reportedly have decided to fight to death. Sulu-based university professor Octavio Dinampo said Friday that Malik had sent text messages to other MNLF leaders saying he and his men would no longer withdraw and would "make Zamboanga their graveyard," as the "losses to fellow Muslims and everyone else" were their responsibility and they should "answer for all of it with their lives."
'Why are they not running out of bullets?'
According to sources, Leonardo's character would play the 'charming but ruthless' owner of club Candyland, where female slaves are sex objects and the men are forced to fight to death.
Leonardo Dicaprio in talks for lead role in 'Django Unchained'