Phrase guide

butt heads

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To argue uncompromisingly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • They always seem to butt heads when they end up talking about politics.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To struggle against something that does not give way.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From the activities of some horned animals, which compete by butting, or hitting, their heads against one another.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 發生衝突 /发生冲突 (fāshēng chōngtū) — argue uncompromisingly
  • Finnish: kinastella — argue uncompromisingly
  • French: ne pas se mouiller — argue uncompromisingly
  • Polish: kłócić się — argue uncompromisingly
  • Polish: pokłócić się — argue uncompromisingly