Idioms

a war of words

This page is about the idiom a war of words

Meaning

If you're in a war of words with someone, you're having a long argument or dispute with them.

For example

  • The leaders of the two main political parties are in a war of words over the issue of gun ownership. They debate the topic whenever they see each other.

  • The war of words between community leaders and church leaders has been dominating the newspaper headlines lately.

Quick Quiz

During their war of words, Jenny and Ben

a. put each other in hospital

b. discussed the issues quietly

c. got angry with each other
a) put each other in hospital b) discussed the issues quietly c) got angry with each other

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Common English Idioms

Contributor: Matt Errey