Word
tussle
Phoneticstus·sle, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈtəsəɫ/
UK/tˈʌsəl/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a short, messy fight or struggle for something. You use it when two people or animals push, pull, or argue to get control.
n. a brief vigorous struggle or contest for possession or advantage, often physical but also extended to verbal or political disputes. Implies closely matched opponents and less seriousness or violence than a fight.
Examples
“The two dogs have a tussle over a bone.”
“Two shoppers get into a brief tussle over the last parking space near the entrance.”
“The boardroom tussle between the founder and the investors dragged on for months, with each leaked memo sharpening the divide over the company's future direction.”
Examples
simple
“The two dogs have a tussle over a bone.”
contextual
“Two shoppers get into a brief tussle over the last parking space near the entrance.”
complex
“The boardroom tussle between the founder and the investors dragged on for months, with each leaked memo sharpening the divide over the company's future direction.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “tussle” in context.
Verb
01. get into tussle
“Two drivers got into a tussle after a minor crash.”
verb + prep + noun
02. lose tussle
“He lost the tussle with the guard and dropped his ticket.”
verb + noun
03. tussle breaks out
“A tussle broke out between two players after the whistle.”
noun + verb + particle
04. tussle ends
“The tussle ended when the coach ran onto the pitch.”
noun + verb
Adjective
05. brief tussle
“There was a brief tussle at the door before security stepped in.”
adj + noun
06. minor tussle
“Police broke up a minor tussle between rival fans.”
adj + noun
07. physical tussle
“The argument turned into a physical tussle over a bag.”
adj + noun
08. playful tussle
“The puppies rolled around in a playful tussle on the grass.”
adj + noun
09. a brief tussle broke out
“A brief tussle broke out near the entrance to the stadium.”
10. break up a tussle
“Teachers rushed in to break up a tussle in the playground.”
11. engage in a tussle
“The two dogs engaged in a playful tussle on the lawn.”
12. get into a tussle
“Two passengers got into a tussle over a seat.”
Etymology
Related to tousle.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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