v.
(past and past part. fought)
- take part in a violent struggle involving physical force or weapons.
▸engage in (a war or contest).
▸quarrel or argue.
▸
(fight someone/thing off)
defend oneself against an attack by someone or something.
- struggle to overcome, eliminate, or prevent.
▸try very hard to obtain or achieve something:
I will fight for a fairer society.
-
(fight one's way)
move forward with difficulty.
n.
an act of fighting.
▸a vigorous struggle or campaign.
▸the inclination or ability to fight or struggle.
Phrase
- fight fire with fire
use the weapons or tactics of one's opponent, even if one finds them distasteful. - fight shy of
be unwilling to undertake or become involved with. - fight or flight
the instinctive physiological response to a threatening situation, which readies one either to resist forcibly or to run away.
Etymology
OE feohtan (v.), feoht(e), gefeoht (n.), of W. Gmc origin.