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at loggerheads
01
in serious disagreement with someone
What is the origin of the idiom "at loggerheads" and when to use it?
The idiom "at loggerheads" has its origins in the nautical term "loggerheads," which refers to round iron instruments with long handles, historically used to heat pitch for sealing seams in wooden ships. When sailors disagreed or argued, they often resorted to wielding these loggerheads as weapons. Over time, the term evolved to describe a situation where two or more individuals or groups are in a state of deadlock, unable to reach an agreement or resolve their differences.
Example
Despite being close friends, Jane and Susan were at loggerheads when it came to deciding on a vacation destination.
The siblings found themselves at loggerheads over the division of their late father's estate.
The team members were at loggerheads regarding the project approach, causing delays and inefficiencies in the workflow.
The negotiation between the union and management was at loggerheads over issues of worker compensation.
The political parties were at loggerheads, leading to a government shutdown due to the inability to pass a budget.
