🗓️ Idiom: Cross Swords (v)
💬 Meaning
- To get into a serious disagreement or argument with someone.
- To challenge another person’s ideas or decisions in a direct way.
🧠 Example Sentences
- The finance director and operations manager often cross swords during budget meetings.
- She crossed swords with a client who felt the contract terms were unclear.
- Two team leaders crossed swords over who should handle the conflict with an unhappy customer.
🏛️ Origin
The idiom comes from fencing and sword fighting. When two fighters touch or cross their swords, they enter a duel. This is now a metaphor for people who “fight” with words, arguing, debating, or challenging each other’s views.
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blank:
Our department often ________ with management about workload and priorities.
Answer
crosses swords
2. Choose the correct answer:
To “cross swords” with someone means to:
a) Avoid discussing problems
b) Enter a disagreement or argument
c) Work quietly together
Answer
b) Enter a disagreement or argument
3. Change the sentence using “cross swords”:
“The managers argued about how to solve the conflict between two teams.”
Answer
The managers crossed swords over how to solve the conflict between the two teams.
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👉 Business English Idioms List
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