running battle
Prolonged mobile conflict
A running battle is a fight that continues while one or both sides are in motion, neither holding fixed positions.
The phrase extends to any prolonged conflict with ongoing skirmishes rather than a single decisive confrontation: She's been fighting a running battle with the insurance company for months.
The emphasis is on persistence across time and shifting ground.
Brief, limited combat
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- guerrillaIrregular armed fighter
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- retreatSanctuary or withdrawal
pursuit · engagement · firefight · clash · assault · flank · resistance · casualties
Bitter ongoing rivalry
- argumentReasoned case or dispute
- disagreementAbsence of shared opinion
- contentionAssertion or rivalry
- strifeAngry, prolonged conflict
conflict · tension · friction · clash · antagonism · animosity · hostility · quarrel
skirmish
Brief, limited combat
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- guerrillaIrregular armed fighter
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
retreat · pursuit · engagement · firefight · clash · assault · flank · resistance · casualties · reinforcements
feud
Bitter ongoing rivalry
- argumentReasoned case or dispute
- disagreementAbsence of shared opinion
- contentionAssertion or rivalry
strife · conflict · tension · friction · clash · antagonism · animosity · hostility · quarrel · bickering
running battlesiege
Encirclement forcing surrender
trench warfare · pitched battle · holding action · defensive position · standoff
running battletruce
Agreed halt to hostilities
ceasefire · peace agreement · armistice · resolution · reconciliation
running, battle, runner, runners, battles, battled, battling, battler, battleground