[duke] it out
1
to argue or fight until a disagreement is resolved
The origin of the idiom "duke it out" is believed to be associated with the word "duke" being used as a slang term for a fist. This suggests that the phrase originally referred to two individuals settling a dispute or engaging in a physical fight using their fists, hence "duking it out." While the precise historical origins of this expression may be somewhat unclear, it is commonly used in English to describe a situation in which two parties engage in a vigorous or intense conflict or competition to resolve a dispute or determine superiority. It signifies a heated and determined effort to resolve a conflict or determine a winner, and it can be applied to a variety of contexts, from sports competitions and business negotiations to personal disagreements or political debates.
- After hours of heated negotiations, the two companies finally decided to duke it out and reach a compromise on the merger deal.
- The siblings had been arguing about the family inheritance for weeks until they decided to duke it out during a family meeting.
- Instead of letting their differences fester, the coworkers decided to duke it out in a constructive discussion to find common ground.
2
to engage in a physical fight, typically using one's fists
The idiom "duke it out" originates from the concept of bare-knuckle boxing in the 19th century. The term "duke" is thought to be a reference to the Duke of Cumberland, a famous fighter in that era. Over time, this phrase has evolved into a more general expression for any heated or intense confrontation that leads to a physical fight.
- The two boxers entered the ring and were ready to duke it out for the championship title.
- In the schoolyard, the two bullies decided to duke it out after a heated argument.
- The bar brawl escalated quickly as patrons began to duke it out over a disagreement.
- The action movie's climax features a thrilling scene where the hero and the villain duke it out in an epic fight.
- When tensions flared on the ice during the hockey game, the players dropped their gloves and started to duke it out in a fistfight.