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at daggers drawn
01
(of two people, groups, countries, etc.) in a state of conflict or hostility toward each other
Dialect
British
British
Idiom
InformalWhat is the origin of the idiom "at daggers drawn" and when to use it?
The idiom "at daggers drawn" finds its origins in the imagery of two individuals or groups each holding a dagger, a short stabbing weapon, in a confrontational stance. The phrase has historical roots and reflects a state of intense hostility or enmity between parties, where the tension is so palpable that it is akin to being on the brink of a physical altercation. It is often used metaphorically to describe situations characterized by extreme animosity or conflict.
Examples
After the heated argument, the colleagues were at daggers drawn, refusing to speak to each other.
The neighboring countries remained at daggers drawn, with unresolved border disputes causing ongoing tension.
