1fight 
/ˈfaɪt/ verb
fights; fought /ˈfaɪt/ verb /ˈfɑ:t/; fight·ing 1 a : to use weapons or physical force to try to hurt someone, to defeat an enemy, etc. : to struggle in battle or physical combat [no obj] ▪ The soldiers fought bravely. ▪ When he was young he was always fighting. ▪ He fought like a tiger. ▪ The U.S. and Germany fought in World Wars I and II. — often + against ▪ The U.S. fought against Germany in World Wars I and II. [+ obj] ▪ They vowed to fight the invaders of their homeland. ▪ The U.S. fought Germany in World Wars I and II.
b [+ obj] : to be involved in (a battle, struggle, etc.)
▪ fight [=wage] a war/battle for independence ▪ fighting a duel ▪ I think we're fighting a losing battle. [=we are trying to do something that we will not be able to do] 2 [no obj] : to argue in an angry way
▪ He and his wife are always fighting over/about money. ▪ They fight (with each other) all the time. 3 [no obj] : to try hard to do something that is difficult
▪ They were fighting [=struggling] to stay awake/alive. ▪ We were fighting to protect our jobs. 4 a : to work hard to defeat, end, or prevent something [no obj] ▪ fighting against poverty ▪ fighting against AIDS/cancer/crime [+ obj] ▪ fighting poverty ▪ The company fought the takeover attempt. ▪ His lawyers have vowed that they will fight the court's decision. ▪ fight a fire ▪ fight crime
b [+ obj] : to struggle against (something)
▪ I've been fighting a cold all week. ▪ We had to fight traffic [=to drive through a lot of traffic] all the way home. 5 [+ obj] : to try not to be affected by (a feeling, urge, etc.)
▪ He was fighting the urge/impulse to laugh. [=he was trying not to laugh] 6 : to participate in the sport of boxing [no obj] ▪ He will fight for the heavyweight title next month. [+ obj] ▪ He has fought several worthy opponents. ▪ He fought several difficult matches on his way to the title.
b [+ obj] : to be involved in (a battle, struggle, etc.)
▪ fight [=wage] a war/battle for independence ▪ fighting a duel ▪ I think we're fighting a losing battle. [=we are trying to do something that we will not be able to do]
▪ He and his wife are always fighting over/about money. ▪ They fight (with each other) all the time.
▪ They were fighting [=struggling] to stay awake/alive. ▪ We were fighting to protect our jobs.
b [+ obj] : to struggle against (something)
▪ I've been fighting a cold all week. ▪ We had to fight traffic [=to drive through a lot of traffic] all the way home.
▪ He was fighting the urge/impulse to laugh. [=he was trying not to laugh]
fight back [phrasal verb] 1 : to attack or try to defeat someone who is attacking or trying to defeat you
▪ We can't just let them make these accusations against us. We need to fight back! 2 : to make a new effort against an opponent
▪ They fell behind early in the game, but they were able to fight back and tie the score in the second half. — see also fightback 3 ◊Someone who is fighting back tears is trying very hard not to cry.
▪ He was fighting back tears as he announced his resignation.
▪ We can't just let them make these accusations against us. We need to fight back!
▪ They fell behind early in the game, but they were able to fight back and tie the score in the second half. — see also fightback
▪ He was fighting back tears as he announced his resignation.
fight fire with fire
: to fight against an opponent by using the same methods or weapons that the opponent uses
fight for [phrasal verb]
fight for (something) 1 : to fight in support of (something)
▪ young soldiers fighting for their country ▪ This is a cause that's worth fighting for. 2 : to fight or struggle to get, keep, or achieve (something)
▪ The team is fighting for a spot in the play-offs. ▪ The two armies fought all night for control of the fort. ▪ We are fighting for our rights as citizens. ▪ They had to fight for survival. ▪ When they brought him to the hospital, he was fighting for breath. [=he was struggling to breathe] ▪ Her condition is very serious. She's fighting for her life. [=she is struggling to survive; she is in danger of dying]
▪ young soldiers fighting for their country ▪ This is a cause that's worth fighting for.
▪ The team is fighting for a spot in the play-offs. ▪ The two armies fought all night for control of the fort. ▪ We are fighting for our rights as citizens. ▪ They had to fight for survival. ▪ When they brought him to the hospital, he was fighting for breath. [=he was struggling to breathe] ▪ Her condition is very serious. She's fighting for her life. [=she is struggling to survive; she is in danger of dying]
fight it out 1 : to be in a fight
▪ People were fighting it out over parking spaces. 2 : to end a dispute by fighting or arguing
▪ This matter won't be settled until the lawyers fight it out in court.
▪ People were fighting it out over parking spaces.
▪ This matter won't be settled until the lawyers fight it out in court.
fight like cats and dogs (chiefly US) or Brit fight like cat and dog
informal : to fight or argue a lot or in a very forceful and angry way
▪ a married couple who are always fighting like cats and dogs
▪ a married couple who are always fighting like cats and dogs
fight off [phrasal verb]
fight (someone or something) off or fight off (someone or something) : to defend yourself against (someone or something) by fighting or struggling : to avoid being harmed or overcome by (someone or something) by fighting or struggling
▪ They fought off the attack/attackers. ▪ I'm trying to fight off a cold.
▪ They fought off the attack/attackers. ▪ I'm trying to fight off a cold.
fight on [phrasal verb]
: to continue fighting
▪ He vowed that he would fight on alone.
▪ He vowed that he would fight on alone.
fight shy of — see 1shy
fight the good fight
: to try very hard to do what is right
▪ He has always fought the good fight against oppression.
▪ He has always fought the good fight against oppression.
fight with [phrasal verb]
fight with (someone or something) 1 : to fight against (someone or something)
▪ He fought with his wife over/about money. ▪ The U.S. fought with Germany in World Wars I and II. ▪ He fought with several worthy opponents. 2 : to fight on the same side as (someone or something)
▪ The U.S. fought (together) with the Soviet Union in World War II. 3 : to fight by using (something, such as a weapon)
▪ They were fighting with knives. ▪ They fought with their fists.
▪ He fought with his wife over/about money. ▪ The U.S. fought with Germany in World Wars I and II. ▪ He fought with several worthy opponents.
▪ The U.S. fought (together) with the Soviet Union in World War II.
▪ They were fighting with knives. ▪ They fought with their fists.
fight your way
: to move forward or make progress by pushing, fighting, or struggling
▪ He fought his way through the crowd. ▪ They've had to fight their way through a lot of red tape to get the project approved.
▪ He fought his way through the crowd. ▪ They've had to fight their way through a lot of red tape to get the project approved.
— fighting adjective
▪ a powerful fighting force ▪ a fighting ship ▪ They admired his fighting [=aggressive] spirit. — see also fighting chance at 1chance ◊Fighting words are angry or insulting words that are likely to cause a fight. ◊In U.S. English, someone who is fighting mad is angry enough to fight.
▪ Some voters are fighting mad about the outcome of the election.
▪ a powerful fighting force ▪ a fighting ship ▪ They admired his fighting [=aggressive] spirit. — see also fighting chance at 1chance ◊Fighting words are angry or insulting words that are likely to cause a fight. ◊In U.S. English, someone who is fighting mad is angry enough to fight.
▪ Some voters are fighting mad about the outcome of the election.
— fighting noun [noncount]
▪ Fighting has broken out along the border. ▪ There are reports of (heavy) fighting between rival factions.
▪ Fighting has broken out along the border. ▪ There are reports of (heavy) fighting between rival factions.
