■ verb ( past and past participle fought )
1》 take part in a violent struggle involving physical force or weapons.
↘engage in (a war or contest).
↘quarrel or argue.
↘( ~ someone/thing off ) defend oneself against an attack by someone or something.
2》 struggle to overcome, eliminate, or prevent.
↘try very hard to obtain or achieve something: I will ~ for a fairer society.
3》 ( ~ one's way ) move forward with difficulty.
■ noun an act of ~ing.
↘a vigorous struggle or campaign.
↘the inclination or ability to ~ or struggle.
Phrases
~ fire with fire use the weapons or tactics of one's opponent, even if one finds them distasteful.
~ shy of be unwilling to undertake or become involved with.
~ or flight the instinctive physiological response to a threatening situation, which readies one either to resist forcibly or to run away.
Origin
OE feohtan (v.), feoht(e ), gefeoht (n.), of W. Gmc origin.