English Reference
Idiom idiom

come to blows


To fight; to initiate physical conflict, especially subsequent to escalating tension or antagonism.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

“The two neighbors almost came to blows over the fence.”

CONTEXTUAL

“The argument grew so heated that the two business partners nearly came to blows in the meeting room.”

COMPLEX

“After hours of bitter disagreement regarding the inheritance, the siblings finally came to blows, shattering the long-standing peace within the family home.”


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    appetite comes with eating

    Starting an activity increases one's desire to continue it.

  2. 02

    as the wind blows

    According to any given circumstances.

  3. 03

    as they come

    As it is possible to be.

  4. 04

    blow a fuse

    To lose one's temper; to become enraged.

  5. 05

    blow a hole through

    To destroy the integrity or cohesion of.

  6. 06

    blow a kiss

    To kiss one's own hand, then blow on it in a direction towards the recipient.

  7. 07

    blow away

    To kill (someone) by shooting them with a firearm.

  8. 08

    blow chunks

    To vomit chunks of undigested food.

Last updated August 10, 2026