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handbags at ten paces

idiom
Meaning

Synonym of handbags at dawn (“a catty squabble”).


Examples
SIMPLE

The two neighbors are having handbags at ten paces again.

CONTEXTUAL

The meeting turned into handbags at ten paces when the two managers started arguing over the office budget.

COMPLEX

What began as a professional disagreement quickly devolved into handbags at ten paces, with both parties trading petty insults rather than discussing the actual project.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    a hundred and ten percent

    A level of effort beyond what one can usually sustain; great exertion.

  2. 02

    card of ten

    A bold front, an instance of standing one's ground.

  3. 03

    cock and Hen

    [Cockney slang]ten

  4. 04

    count to ten

    An expression used to describe or recommend a process for pausing to regain one's composure when one is on the verge of losing one's temper.

  5. 05

    five will get you ten

    I strongly believe.

  6. 06

    handbags at dawn

    A catty squabble.

  7. 07

    nine times out of ten

    Very often, mostly, most of the time.

  8. 08

    ten a penny

    So common as to be practically or almost worthless.

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