pick a fight
Deliberately cause conflict
To pick a fight is to deliberately provoke a confrontation or argument, often with someone who wasn't looking for trouble: He walked into the bar looking to pick a fight.
The phrase implies the aggressor is choosing conflict unnecessarily, selecting a target rather than responding to genuine provocation.
Stop picking fights with your sister.
- hassleIrritating difficulty
- quarrelAngry verbal dispute
- altercationHeated verbal dispute
- antagonizeIncite hostility in
- brawlDisorderly group fight
argument · goad · dispute · provoke · incite · instigate · scuffle · come to blows · confrontation · agitate · talking trash · throw down · throw hands · square up · provocation · have words · needle · stir the pot
pick a fightmake peace
Resolve conflict between parties
bury the hatchet · peacemaking · mend fences · make amends · patch things up
pick a fightmake friends
Establish companionship with others
build bridges · reach out · play nice · get along · befriend
pick a fightkeep the peace
Prevent discord or conflict
back down · stand down · walk away · appease · conciliate
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