Phrase guide

come to blows

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 fight; to initiate physical conflict, especially subsequent to escalating tension or antagonism.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To degrade into a fight or physical conflict (in reference to an argument or to a situation of tension or antagonism).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: impersonal

Examples

  • They exchanged insults, without it coming to blows.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.