slugs it out
Fights to finish
To slug it out is to fight or compete with sustained intensity until one side prevails.
Originally from boxing—trading heavy punches—it now applies to any prolonged, hard-fought contest: The two candidates slugged it out in a three-hour debate.
The phrase implies neither side backs down easily.
- contestingActively disputing or vying
- boxingCombat sport using fists
- toe to toeIn direct confrontation
- brawlingFighting noisily in public
- sparringPractice combat training
bare knuckle · clashing · rivaling · wrestling · punching · enduring · persisting · arguing · competing · dueling · persevering · going the distance · overcoming · striving · outperforming · vying · surviving · resisting
slugs it outbacks down
Withdraws from confrontation
gives up · capitulates · throws in the towel · surrenders · retreats
slugs it outcompromises
Settlements through mutual concession
makes peace · reconciles · cooperates · collaborates · mediates
slug, slugs, slugging, slugger, sluggers, slugged, out, outed, outing