Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

come to blows

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.03 in modern English

Syllables: come -to blows
IPA

20

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

2

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

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

verb

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

Example Sentences

"I'll follow you, Floating Tom, into the Mingo camp, on such an arr'nd, and will strive to do my duty, should we come to blows; though, never having been tried in battle, I don't like to promise more than I may be able to perform."
"[T]here is a variety of drunkenness. . . . Some stagger about in each other's arms, whispering maudlin words—others start quarrels upon the slightest pretext, and come to blows and have to be pulled apart."
"The argument grew heated and teammates grabbed the pair to prevent them from coming to blows."
"Iraqi security forces and peshmerga almost came to blows in the disputed area of Khanaqin, in Diyala province, after Iraqi troops tried to enter the mixed town."
"They exchanged insults, without it coming to blows."

Inflected Forms

comes to blows (present, singular) coming to blows (participle, present) came to blows (past)

Phrases

throw hands

Frequently Paired Words

throw hands

Synonyms

come to grips duke it out

Questions

What does come to blows mean?: To fight; to initiate physical conflict, especially subsequent to escalating tension or antagonism.

How to pronounce come to blows

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