# shitting match

idiom · Vulgar

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/shitting-match
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A pointless competition, dispute or conflict, often over some trivial matter.

## Examples

- They are just having a shitting match over who arrives first.
- The meeting turned into a total shitting match over the color of the office walls.
- The two managers engaged in a pointless shitting match, completely ignoring the urgent project deadlines looming over their department.

## Origin

Compare pissing contest.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.