throwdown
No-holds-barred fight
A throwdown is a fight, confrontation, or intense competition—often physical but sometimes verbal or artistic.
The word suggests a challenge that's been accepted: There was a throwdown in the parking lot after the game.
In cooking contexts, a throwdown is a competitive cooking challenge: Bobby Flay's famous throwdowns.
The verb phrase throw down means to issue or accept such a challenge.
Disorderly group fight
- scuffleBrief disorderly struggle
- altercationHeated verbal dispute
- meleeDisordered group skirmish
- fracasNoisy disorderly fight
skirmish · tussle · fistfight · slugfest · rumble · donnybrook · dustup · punch-up
Organized competitive event
- cook-offCompetitive cooking event
- battleArmed military engagement
- face-offDirect clash between opponents
- matchupScheduled competitive pairing
bout · duel · rivalry · challenge · tournament · championship · dance-off · rap battle
brawl
Disorderly group fight
- scuffleBrief disorderly struggle
- altercationHeated verbal dispute
- meleeDisordered group skirmish
fracas · skirmish · tussle · fistfight · slugfest · rumble · donnybrook · dustup · punch-up · fisticuffs
contest
Organized competitive event
- cook-offCompetitive cooking event
- battleArmed military engagement
- face-offDirect clash between opponents
matchup · bout · duel · rivalry · challenge · tournament · championship · dance-off · rap battle · chili cook-off
standoff
Unresolved confrontation between opponents
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
- conflictOpposition between parties
- disputeVerbal clash over differences
feud · grudge · rivalry · face-off · squaring off · calling out · challenge · beef · vendetta · bad blood
challenge
Test of ability
chivalry · medieval · jousting · knight · ceremony · formal challenge · glove · declaration · defiance · provocation
- partiesbirthday party, party, costume party, house party, dinner party
- Hip-Hoprapper, rappers, rhymes, beat, lyrics
- fighting wordsfight me, bring it, square up, step outside, lets go
- fightsfight, brawl, scuffle, scrap, tussle
- partyingparty animal, socializing, bachelor party, mingling, bachelorette
- showdownsface-off, faceoff, confrontation, duel, clash
throwdownpeace offering
Gesture to end conflict
reconciliation · truce · ceasefire · handshake · détente
throwdownpolite conversation
Courteous social discourse
diplomatic exchange · friendly chat · tea party · heart-to-heart · fireside chat
throwdownlovefest
Display of collective affection
celebration · reunion · mixer · fellowship · communion