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Tag: Conflict and Conflict Resolution Idioms

  • At Each Other’s Throats

    🗓️ Idiom: At Each Other’s Throats (adj)

    💬 Meaning

    • Arguing or fighting in a very intense or aggressive way.
    • Being in constant conflict, often with little patience left.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • The two managers were at each other’s throats all morning over how to handle the customer complaints.
    • The support team and sales team were at each other’s throats after a mix-up caused delays for a major client.
    • She and her colleague were at each other’s throats during the meeting because they disagreed on how to resolve the conflict.

    🏛️ Origin

    This expression comes from the image of two animals or people attacking each other by going for the throat. It now describes people who argue fiercely or seem ready to explode during a conflict.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    The two department heads were __________ after the report showed mistakes on both sides.

    Answer

    at each other’s throats

    2. Choose the correct answer:
    If two colleagues are “at each other’s throats,” they are:
    a) Working well together
    b) In a calm discussion
    c) Fighting or arguing intensely

    Answer

    c) Fighting or arguing intensely

    3. Change the sentence using “at each other’s throats”:
    “The team members argued non-stop about who caused the conflict.”

    Answer

    The team members were at each other’s throats about who caused the conflict.

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  • Cross Swords

    🗓️ 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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  • Clash Heads

    🗓️ Idiom: Clash Heads (verb)

    💬 Meaning

    • To strongly disagree with someone, especially in a discussion or meeting.
    • To argue or come into conflict because of different opinions.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • The marketing and product teams often clash heads over how to present new features.
    • She clashed heads with her manager about how to handle a client complaint.
    • Two project leads clashed heads during the planning session about deadlines.

    🏛️ Origin

    “Clash heads” comes from the idea of people (or animals) physically hitting their heads together during a fight. Over time, the phrase became a metaphor for strong disagreements, especially when two people are both confident in their opinions and refuse to step back.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    The team often ________ when they discuss how to solve customer issues.

    Answer

    clash heads

    2. Choose the correct answer:
    If two colleagues “clash heads,” they:
    a) Work quietly together
    b) Have a strong disagreement
    c) Avoid each other completely

    Answer

    b) Have a strong disagreement

    3. Change the sentence using “clash heads”:
    “The supervisors argued about the new office rules.”

    Answer

    The supervisors clashed heads over the new office rules.

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  • Lock Horns

    🗓️ Idiom: Lock Horns (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To get into a serious argument or conflict with someone.
    • To strongly oppose another person’s ideas or decisions.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • The HR manager and the team leader often lock horns over how to handle employee complaints.
    • Two department heads locked horns during the meeting about who should manage the new project.
    • The company has locked horns with a supplier over repeated delivery mistakes.

    🏛️ Origin

    The idiom comes from the way animals such as bulls or deer fight by pushing their horns together. This physical clash became a saying for people who argue fiercely or refuse to back down in a disagreement.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    Our customer service team often ________ with the IT department about response times.

    Answer

    locks horns

    2. Choose the correct answer:
    To “lock horns” with someone means to:
    a) Work quietly with them
    b) Avoid any discussion
    c) Enter a strong disagreement

    Answer

    c) Enter a strong disagreement

    3. Change the sentence using “lock horns”:
    “The directors disagreed strongly during the budget review.”

    Answer

    The directors locked horns during the budget review.

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  • At Loggerheads

    🗓️ Idiom: At Loggerheads (adj)

    💬 Meaning

    • To be in strong disagreement with someone.
    • To be in a serious conflict where neither side wants to back down.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • The sales and finance teams are at loggerheads over how to price the new service.
    • She has been at loggerheads with her supervisor about the changes to her schedule.
    • The company is at loggerheads with a major client over contract terms.

    🏛️ Origin

    The idiom goes back to the 1600s. A “loggerhead” was a tool or long iron rod used for heating or mixing. When two people fought, it was said they were clashing like two loggerheads being struck together. Over time it became a figurative way to describe people in strong disagreement.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    The project leads are ________ about which direction the team should take.

    Answer

    at loggerheads

    2. Choose the correct answer:
    If two colleagues are “at loggerheads,” they:
    a) Work extremely well together
    b) Have a serious disagreement
    c) Never speak to each other

    Answer

    b) Have a serious disagreement

    3. Change the sentence using “at loggerheads”:
    “The managers cannot agree on the new holiday policy.”

    Answer

    The managers are at loggerheads over the new holiday policy.

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  • At Odds With Someone or Something

    🗓️ Idiom: At Odds With Someone or Something (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To disagree or be in conflict with someone or something.
    • To be at variance or not in harmony with an idea, decision, or person.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • The two departments are at odds with each other over the project’s budget.
    • He was at odds with his manager about the best way to resolve the client complaint.
    • The new policy is at odds with the company’s earlier commitment to work–life balance.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from the notion of “odds,” which refers to chance or probability. By the 1600s, “at odds” began to be used to mean being opposed or conflicting. As if two sides are pitted against each other like in a bet.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    Our team is ________ with management about what the deadline should be.

    Answer

    at odds

    2. Choose the correct answer:
    If you are “at odds with” someone, you:
    a) Work closely together
    b) Disagree strongly
    c) Ignore each other

    Answer

    b) Disagree strongly

    3. Change the sentence using “at odds with”:
    “The marketing strategy does not match the company’s long-term goals.”

    Answer

    The marketing strategy is at odds with the company’s long-term goals.

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  • Conflict and Conflict Resolution Idioms

    Conflict is a natural part of workplace life, whether it arises from differences in opinion, competition, or misunderstandings. In this post, we’ll explore practical conflict and conflict resolution idioms that highlight disagreements, negotiations, and finding common ground.

    IdiomDefinitionExample Sentence
    At odds with someone or somethingIn disagreement or conflictThe marketing and sales teams were constantly at odds with each other over the new product launch strategy.
    At loggerheadsIn a state of disagreement or conflictThe company’s management and the labor union were at loggerheads over the proposed wage cuts.
    Lock hornsTo engage in a heated argument or conflictThe project managers locked horns over the allocation of resources for the upcoming project.
    Clash headsTo argue or disagree stronglyThe two executives clashed heads over the company’s direction for the next fiscal year.
    Cross swordsTo engage in a conflict or argumentThe HR department crossed swords with the IT department over the implementation of a new time tracking system.
    At each other’s throatsIn a state of intense hostility or conflictThe sales team was at each other’s throats after missing their quarterly sales target.
    Be on a collision courseTo be heading towards a conflict or disagreementThe company’s outdated policies and the changing market trends were on a collision course.
    Have a chip on one’s shoulderTo be easily offended or angered, often due to past grievancesThe new employee had a chip on his shoulder after being passed over for a promotion.
    Tread on someone’s toesTo offend or annoy someoneThe manager inadvertently tread on the team’s toes by micromanaging their work.
    To see redTo become very angryThe CEO saw red when he discovered the financial irregularities in the accounting department.
    Be at a stalemateTo be in a situation where neither side can win or make progressThe negotiations between the company and the suppliers were at a stalemate over the pricing terms.
    A vicious cycleA repeating pattern of negative events or behaviorsThe company was stuck in a vicious cycle of low morale, decreased productivity, and high turnover.
    In a rutIn a fixed routine that is difficult to changeThe department was in a rut, and the employees felt unmotivated and disengaged.
    To bury the hatchetTo make peace and end a quarrelAfter months of tension, the two departments finally buried the hatchet and agreed to work together on the project.
    Call a truceTo agree to stop fighting or arguing temporarilyThe CEO called a truce between the warring factions and urged them to focus on finding a solution.
    Let bygones be bygonesTo forget about past disagreements or offensesThe HR manager encouraged the employees to let bygones be bygones and focus on building a positive work environment.
    Shake hands and make upTo reconcile after a quarrelThe two colleagues shook hands and made up after their heated argument.
    To patch things upTo repair a damaged relationship or situationThe CEO tried to patch things up between the marketing and sales teams after the failed product launch.
    Let sleeping dogs lieTo avoid disturbing a situation that is currently calm or peacefulThe manager decided to let sleeping dogs lie and avoid addressing the underlying tension between the two employees.
    To move onTo continue with one’s life after a difficult or unpleasant experienceAfter the merger, the employees had to learn to move on and adapt to the new company culture.
    Conflict and Conflict Resolution Idioms

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    We hope you enjoyed our Conflict and Conflict Resolution Idioms.