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to fight like cats and dogs
01
to continuously fight or argue over someone or something
What is the origin of the idiom "fight like cats and dogs" and when to use it?
The idiom "fight like cats and dogs" has its origins in the age-old perception of the inherent animosity between cats and dogs, two species often considered natural enemies. The phrase likely evolved from the tendency of cats and dogs to engage in aggressive or confrontational behavior when they interact. The idiom is now used metaphorically to describe intense and frequent conflicts or arguments between individuals, emphasizing the severity of the discord by invoking the notion of a perpetual and fierce rivalry.
Example
The neighbors are known to fight like cats and dogs, with disagreements ranging from property boundaries to noisy gatherings.
Even though they love each other, Tom and Lisa have moments where they fight like cats and dogs, only to reconcile shortly afterward.
Despite being siblings, Mary and Jack fight like cats and dogs over trivial matters.
The political candidates continued to fight like cats and dogs throughout the entire campaign, exchanging heated debates and accusations.
In the competitive business world, rival companies often fight like cats and dogs for market dominance.