tussle with

tussle with (someone or something)

1. To fight, scuffle, or wrestle with someone. Tom was arrested for tussling with another man outside the bar. You want to tussle with me? OK, bring it on—give me your best shot!
2. To struggle to use, manipulate, or fix something. He's been out tussling with that rusty lawnmower all day, but he's never going to get it working. I just feel like I spend most of my workday tussling with this clunky old computer.
3. To enter into a heated or contentious argument or debate with someone. He's ready to tussle with state senators to get this legislation approved.
4. To struggle to overcome or resolve something. She's been tussling with guilt and self-doubt ever since the accident.
See also: tussle
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

tussle with someone or something

 
1. to struggle or battle with someone or something. Tim tussled with Roger for a while, and then they made peace. I tussled with the trunk, trying to get it into the attic.
2. Fig. to argue or contend with someone, a group, or something. (Fig. on {2}.) I tussled with my conscience all night. We tussled with the committee and won our point.
See also: tussle
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • tussle
  • tussle with (someone or something)
  • bar
  • belly up to the bar
  • jostle with
  • jostle with (someone or something)
  • piss factory
  • painkiller
  • creep dive
  • quick one
References in classic literature
The shore road was "woodsy and wild and lonesome." On the right hand, scrub firs, their spirits quite unbroken by long years of tussle with the gulf winds, grew thickly.
Anne Of Green Gables
So held, John had waited with a womanly patience till the little hand relaxed its hold, and while waiting had fallen asleep, more tired by that tussle with his son than with his whole day's work.
Little Women
Here comes another Giant to have a tussle with you."
Tanglewood Tales
A light burnt low on the landing, and by it I could see Mackenzie swaying and staggering in a silent tussle with some powerful adversary.
The Amateur Cracksman
I came upon it from a tussle with the sea-- and I was young--and I saw it looking at me.
Youth A Narrative
Will and Dawn get into a tussle With Harriet's life in danger, will anyone get to her before it's too late?
SOAP WATCH; Your guide to all the drama in the Square, on the cobbles and in the Dales
Owing to recent tussle with India, PTI Government could not take the corrupt figures of PPP into account as they were claiming.
Assault on Jurist Taqi Usmani
After the match, MacLean brushed off his tussle with Kouassi, saying: "It was just a laugh, just a coming together.
Watch: Hearts striker Steven MacLean grabs Celtic midfielder's privates
They have lost all the 16 matches they have played so far and are bottom of the league, and their tussle with the army team could result in a thrashing for the Kings.
BDF VI men volleyball team continue title challenge
Summary: New Delhi [India], July 4 (ANI): Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday hailed the verdict by the five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court in favour of the Delhi Government on its tussle with the Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal.
CM Kejriwal hails SC verdict on Delhi Govt-LG tussle
Moses Jersey and Abakkuk Zinatuwah went missing during the tussle with a group of men loyal to one Blama King who is also said to be claiming the piece of land.
Gunshots at Farhat's farm
Summary: Reports had said the actress had a tussle with T-series
Yami Gautam excited about 'Batti Gul...'
But Dow, preparing for County's first home league tussle with Gers, believes lightning can strike twice on a personal level.
Dow: Repeat show for me will give us a lift
They said Kejriwal and Sisodia took up the issue of tussle with Jung over transfer and postings of bureaucrats to which Singh assured cooperation from the Centre.
Rajnath tells Kejri and L- G to end Delhi Jung
New Delhi: Omar Abdullah on Sunday came out in strong support of Arvind Kejriwal on the issue of his ongoing tussle with the Delhi Lt Governor, saying Indian-administered-Kashmir had to pay a "heavy price" for similar issues involving the office of the chief minister and the Raj Bhavan.
Omar backs Kejriwal in fight with Lt Governor of Delhi