do battle

/dˈuː bˈatəl/

/dˈuː bˈæɾəl/

[phrase]

to do battle

[PHRASE]

to engage in a fight or argument

Examples

1. In Mysterious Island (1961), castaways do battle with a gigantic crab and a huge bird.

2. Three claimants to the title quickly rise, and prepare to do battle over who would wear the crown.

3. Then, when they did did do battle, it was the bloodiest day of Napoleon’s career.

4. By August 29th, he and his army were positioned to do battle at Manassas, Virginia, where he defeated the Union army for a second time before invading Maryland.