shoot the dozens

shoot the dozens

To engage in an informal contest in which one trades insults with someone about each other and each other's family members, especially their mothers, typically in front of a group. The insults are not meant to be taken seriously. Exclusive to African-American communities. You want to shoot the dozens, son? We'll keep it light, unlike yo' mama, who's pushin' a ton!
See also: dozen, shoot
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

shoot the dozens

verb
See play the dozens
See also: dozen, shoot
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • play the dozens
  • the dirty dozens
  • the dozens
  • battle
  • battle with (someone or something)
  • you can dish it out, but you can't take it
  • each
  • needle (one) about (something)
  • needle about