I. bat ‧ tle 1 W2 /ˈbætl/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: bataille , from Late Latin battalia 'fighting' , from Latin battuere 'to hit' ]
1 . FIGHT a fight between opposing armies, groups of ships, groups of people etc, especially one that is part of a larger war:
the Battle of Trafalgar
in battle
Her son was killed in battle.
into battle
a knight riding into battle
battle between
battles between government forces and the rebels
a pitched battle (=a long and serious battle) between police and drug gangs
2 . COMPETITION/ARGUMENT a situation in which opposing groups or people compete or argue with each other when trying to achieve success or control:
a long-running legal battle
battle for
a battle for custody of their children
battle between
a fierce ratings battle between rival TV stations
battle with
an ongoing battle with my mother about eating properly
3 . CHANGE BAD SITUATION an attempt to solve a difficult problem or change an unpleasant situation
battle against
a battle against the racism of the school system
battle with
a long battle with lung cancer
battle for
Scientology has fought long battles for acceptance as a religion.
4 . be half the battle to be a difficult or important part of what you have to do:
Just getting an interview is half the battle.
5 . a battle of wits a situation in which opposing sides try to win by using their intelligence:
A good mystery story is a battle of wits between author and reader.
6 . battle of wills a situation in which opposing sides refuse to change what they want, in the hope that the other side will decide to change first:
a battle of wills between teacher and student
7 . do battle (with somebody) to argue with someone or fight against someone:
She walked into the room with her eyes blazing, ready to do battle.
8 . fight your own battles to argue with someone, or compete in a difficult situation, without having help from other people – used to show approval:
It’s all right, Mum. I can fight my own battles.
9 . the battle of the sexes the relationship between men and women when it is considered as a fight for power
10 . the battle of the bulge the act of trying to lose weight – used humorously
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 3)
■ verbs
▪ fight a battle ( also wage a battle formal )
The police are fighting a tough battle against crime.
|
Many areas around here are waging a constant battle against vandalism.
▪ win a battle
It’s essential to win the battle against inflation.
▪ lose a battle
a brave little girl who lost her battle against cancer
▪ face a battle
Paul faces a frantic battle to be fit for the match in November.
■ adjectives
▪ a long/lengthy battle
his long battle with alcoholism
▪ an uphill battle (=one that is very difficult)
For most people losing weight is an uphill battle.
▪ a tough/hard battle
He faces a tough battle to prove his innocence.
▪ a constant battle
As a student, life was a constant battle against debt.
▪ a losing battle (=one that is going to fail)
She was fighting a losing battle to stop herself from crying.
II. battle 2 BrE AmE verb
1 . [intransitive and transitive] to try very hard to achieve something that is difficult or dangerous:
Firefighters battled the flames.
battle against/with
She had battled against cancer.
battle for
a pressure group battling for better schools
battle to do something
Doctors battled to save his life.
2 . battle it out to keep fighting or opposing each other until one person or team wins:
Sixteen teams will battle it out.
3 . [intransitive] literary to take part in a fight or war