Definition of: "cross swords" with explanation and origin

Definition of: cross swords with explanation and origin? Meaning of cross swords with examples in English idiom dictionary.

English	English

Definition of: "cross swords" with explanation and origin

cross swords

cross swords

Meaning

• to fight with another person physically or verbally.
• to get engaged in combat.
• to duel
• to argue violently or quarrel with another person.
• to get in a dispute with another person.
• to be someone’s adversary.
• Mostly for the males; to urinate at the same time in a way that the urine streams have an intersection.

Example Sentences

1. The vice-presidents crossed swords at all policy meetings.
2. He crossed swords with his boss over overspending.
3. They crossed swords on many occasions over nothing in particular.
4. He always looked forward to crossing swords with his brother.
5. My friend and I crossed swords over homework.
6. We had a bad time when we last crossed swords.
7. I do not want to cross swords with Jerry over the topic.
8. You are too young to cross swords with the teacher.
9. The teacher and the parent crossed swords over who was more powerful.
10. They have crossed swords in the past about political beliefs.
11. The manager has crossed swords with employers who don’t like her administration.

Origin

This idiom is an old saying which has been in use since time immemorial. The most probable origin of the use of cross-swords as an idiom is the Medieval times when duals involving the use of actual swords were the most common way of settling disputes between gentlemen. Violent arguments almost always ended in swordplay. Although not in the exact words, its earliest documented mention occurs in the Bible, in the book of Psalms Chapter 55, Verse 21, which states that even though his words are softer than oil, they are drawn swords.

The Origins of cross swords

English

Related Dictionary

• English Definition & Meaning Dictionary
• English Idioms and phrases Dictionary
• Dictionnaire Français
• Dictionnaire d'expressions idiomatiques et de phrases en français

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English Idioms and phrases

An idiom is a common word or phrase with a figurative, non-literal meaning that is understood culturally and differs from what its composite words' denotations would suggest; i.e. the words together have a meaning that is different from the dictionary definitions of the individual words (although some idioms do retain their literal meanings – see the example "kick the bucket" below). By another definition, an idiom is a speech form or an expression of a given language that is peculiar to itself grammatically or cannot be understood from the individual meanings of its elements.[3] For example, an English speaker would understand the phrase "kick the bucket" to mean "to die" – and also to actually kick a bucket. Furthermore, they would understand when each meaning is being used in context.

To evoke the desired effect in the listener, idioms require a precise replication of the phrase: not even articles can be used interchangeably (e.g. "kick a bucket" only retains the literal meaning of the phrase but not the idiomatic meaning).

Idioms should not be confused with other figures of speech such as metaphors, which evoke an image by use of implicit comparisons (e.g., "the man of steel"); similes, which evoke an image by use of explicit comparisons (e.g., "faster than a speeding bullet"); or hyperbole, which exaggerates an image beyond truthfulness (e.g., "more powerful than a locomotive"). Idioms are also not to be confused with proverbs, which are simple sayings that express a truth based on common sense or practical experience.