butt heads
To argue uncompromisingly.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The two managers often butt heads over budgets.”
“My sister and I butt heads whenever we try to plan a family trip together.”
“The ambitious young reformer and the cautious veteran senator butt heads at every committee meeting, their clashing visions paralysing the legislation.”
Derived from the ritual combat of horned animals, which compete for dominance by striking their heads against one another. The term records the physical collision of animals such as goats or rams and entered the English lexicon as a figurative expression for stubborn disagreement.
- 01
bang one's head against a brick wall
To waste effort on a futile project.
- 02
bang some heads together
Attempt to get results from a previously ineffectual or argumentative group, typically by coercion or force.
- 03
bash someone's head
To beat up someone violently.
- 04
big head
An inflated ego, an exaggerated belief in one's own importance.
- 05
bite someone's head off
To severely berate someone.
- 06
blow someone's head off
To shoot someone in the head.
- 07
bury one's head in the sand
To deliberately ignore the reality of a situation; to pretend a problem does not exist.
- 08
bust one's butt
To work exceptionally hard.
Last updated August 10, 2026