pitched battle
A 'pitched battle' originally referred to a planned and intense military engagement, but it is now also used metaphorically to describe any fierce and prolonged confrontation.
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Definition
C1Military
(technical, historical)A fierce and intense engagement between organized military forces, typically planned in advance.
Example
- The two armies met in a pitched battle that lasted for hours.
B2General
(metaphorical)A prolonged and intense conflict or dispute between opposing groups, often marked by strong emotions and determination.
Example
- The meeting turned into a pitched battle over the proposed changes.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "pitched battle":
running battleline of battlepitch and tosspitch onfight to the deathsingle combatbattle line