cross swords

present singular third person crosses swords · participle present crossing swords · participle past crossed swords · past crossed swords

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see cross, sword., to place or hold two swords so they cross each other.
2. To fight with someone; to duel.

   I do not relish crossing swords with Pike's hook.

   1966 September 24, Brian Hayles, “The Smugglers, episode 3” (15:39 from the start), in Doctor Who, season 4, episode 3, spoken by The Squire (Paul Whitsun-Jones), via BBC

3. idiomaticTo quarrel or argue with someone; to have a dispute with someone.

   You say that you do not see how you and I have crossed swords with the priests.

   1902, Richard Bagot, Donna Diana, published 2008, →ISBN, page 240

   3 more examples

   I must cross swords with the author of the article on the Mountain Railways of the Bernese Oberland, on two points.

   1961 February, “Letters to the Editor: Swiss railways”, in Trains Illustrated, page 126

   Loring Pickering and George K. Fitch, the owners of these newspapers, had as early as 1870 crossed swords with the local typographical union, and had been defeated in a strike when they had attempted a reduction in wages.

   1974, Ira Brown Cross, “The Knights of Labor”, in A history of the labor movement in California, →ISBN, page 179

   Crossing swords with oligarchs is one problem. An equally tough problem is crossing swords with the straight political elites, particularly the power ministries.

   2002, Ukraine's Quest Roundtable Steering Committee, “Ukraine and Human Rights”, in Ukraine's Quest for Mature Nation Statehood - A roundtable, →ISBN, First Session, page 25

   Synonyms: lock horns

4. idiomaticvulgarFor males, to urinate simultaneously such that the streams intersect.