ar ‧ gue S2 W1 /ˈɑːɡjuː $ ˈɑːr-/ BrE AmE verb
[ Word Family: adjective : ↑ arguable , ↑ argumentative ; verb : ↑ argue ; noun : ↑ argument ; adverb : ↑ arguably ]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: arguer , from Latin arguere 'to make clear' ]
1 . [intransitive] to disagree with someone in words, often in an angry way:
We could hear the neighbours arguing.
argue with
Gallacher continued to argue with the referee throughout the game.
argue about
They were arguing about how to spend the money.
argue over
The children were arguing over which TV programme to watch.
2 . [intransitive and transitive] to state, giving clear reasons, that something is true, should be done etc
argue that
Croft argued that a date should be set for the withdrawal of troops.
It could be argued that a dam might actually increase the risk of flooding.
argue for/against (doing) something
Baker argued against cutting the military budget.
She argued the case for changing the law.
The researchers put forward a well-argued case for banning the drug.
They argued the point (=discussed it) for hours without reaching a conclusion.
3 . argue somebody into/out of doing something British English to persuade someone to do or not do something:
Joyce argued me into buying a new jacket.
4 . [transitive] formal to show that something clearly exists or is true:
The statement argues a change of attitude by the management.
5 . argue the toss British English informal to continue to argue about a decision that has been made and cannot be changed:
There was no point arguing the toss after the goal had been disallowed.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ argue to speak angrily to someone because you disagree with them about something:
Those two are always arguing.
|
We rarely argue with each other.
▪ have an argument to argue with someone for a period of time about a particular thing:
She had a long argument with the man who was selling the tickets.
▪ have a row /raʊ/ British English , have a fight especially American English to have an argument with someone, especially with your boyfriend, girlfriend, or a member of your family:
She was upset because she’d had a fight with her boyfriend.
|
The couple at the next table were having a row.
▪ quarrel especially British English to argue with someone, especially for a long time and about many different things:
The children quarrel all the time.
▪ squabble /ˈskwɒb ə l $ ˈskwɑː-/ to argue about unimportant things:
The kids were squabbling over what to watch on TV.
▪ fall out with somebody British English to have a big argument with someone that results in you stopping having a friendly relationship with them:
I’ve fallen out with my best friend.
▪ be at each other’s throats if two people are at each other’s throats, they are always arguing in a very angry way:
His parents are constantly at each other’s throats.