trade blows

trade blows

To fight, either physically or verbally. Typically said of two people who are evenly matched and thus able to continually exchange punches or barbs. The boxers traded blows all through the first round. Somebody needs to stop this debate, or these politicians will trade blows all night!
See also: blow, trade
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • be at daggers drawn
  • dagger
  • daggers drawn, at
  • at daggers drawn
  • queer bashing
  • fight back at (someone or something)
  • lash into
  • lash into (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
Thurman's declaration that he wants to trade blows is music to the ears of Pacquiao, who thrives against fighters who would rather press the action than fight defensively.
Unless Villa's owners are going to part with PS300million this summer - and they are rich enough to do that - saying you are going to trade blows with that pair is one thing.
Fernandes and Belingon continued to trade blows in the next two rounds before Belingon accidentally hit Fernandes with illegal blows to the back of the head.
PUNCH UP Racegoers trade blows at Haydock last Saturday
PUNCH-UP Falkirk and Hibs fans trade blows at train station
After a rare six months of inactivity Scott's handlers finally found a fighter willing to trade blows with him, the reigning world welterweight champion Emile Griffith.
Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta has signed into law a controversial security bill which saw MPs trade blows in parliament, reports BBC.
Remarkably, the score had been limited to just 3-0 in England's favour at half time as defences reigned, the rivals taking it in turns to trade blows in an absorbing contest.
In the Championship, Dias and Leave continue to trade blows in the title race as both stormed to success in the latest round of fixtures.
Smoke bombs are released in the Ukraine parliament chamber as politicians trade blows (left)
Also appearing is JOKER STARR, a creative rhymer for Slough and Beat Cypher where Apa-Tight, Richie Ruks and Soul Unique will trade blows, beat after beat.
The financial crisis dominated the encounter, which also saw the candidates trade blows on the Iraq war.
The Co-operative Group yesterday said it was ready to trade blows with its bigger grocery rivals after its burgeoning food business boosted first-half profits.
Depor coach Willie Swartz then ran on and tried to trade blows with Ramblers captain Michael Pienaar.
Sent off after an on-pitch punch-up during Leeds' game with Derby in 1975, Franny Lee and Norman Hunter continued to trade blows all the way back to the dressing room, eventually sparking mass intervention by their team-mates.