measure swords with
To match one's abilities against an antagonist's.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He wants to measure swords with the current champion.”
“The young lawyer prepared for weeks because she knew she would soon measure swords with a veteran prosecutor.”
“The two rivals, long accustomed to their separate spheres of influence, finally met in the boardroom to measure swords with one another over the future of the company.”
- 01
beat one's swords into ploughshares
To refrain from destructive military or paramilitary acts (war, terrorism, etc.) and put energy and resources to peaceful ends that would otherwise go to violence.
- 02
cross swords
To quarrel or argue with someone; to have a dispute with someone.
- 03
fall on one's sword
To resign from a job or other position of responsibility, especially when pressured to do so.
- 04
flesh one's maiden sword
To experience or succeed in combat or struggle for the first time, as in the military or in politics.
- 05
in no small measure
To a very great extent.
- 06
last full measure
A person's life, when lost through death in service to a nation or cause, particularly as a member of a military force in war or a semi-militarized organization such as a police force or civil defense corps, e.g. fire departments. May also be applied to some dangerous government and civil occupations such as espionage.
- 07
measure the drapes
To make premature or unwarranted preparations for victory, especially election to public office.
- 08
measure up
To meet expectations; to be as good as.
Last updated August 10, 2026