Synonyms for lock horns

Grammar : Verb

Spell : hawrn

Phonetic Transcription : hɔrn

Définition of lock horns

Origin : "means of fastening," Old English loc "bolt, fastening; barrier, enclosure," from Proto-Germanic *lukan (cf. Old Norse lok "fastening, lock," Gothic usluks "opening," Old High German loh "dungeon," German Loch "opening, hole," Dutch luik "shutter, trapdoor"). "The great diversity of meaning in the Teut. words seems to indicate two or more independent but formally identical substantival formations from the root."
The Old English sense "barrier, enclosure" led to the specific meaning "barrier on a river" (c.1300), and the more specific sense "gate and sluice system on a water channel used as a means of raising and lowering boats" (1570s). Wrestling sense is from c.1600. Phrase under lock and key attested from early 14c.

verb fight with

Example sentences :

Take two young, fat steers they'll lock horns at the drop of a hat.
Extract from : « Nan Sherwood at Pine Camp » by Annie Roe Carr

He and your father might lock horns first crack out of the box.
Extract from : « The Forester's Daughter » by Hamlin Garland

I kind of feel in my bones that him and me is going to lock horns, Curly.
Extract from : « The Man Next Door » by Emerson Hough

Now the first and fourth and second and third lock horns and fight.
Extract from : « Woodland Tales » by Ernest Seton-Thompson

But there's another day, and the kingpin and I may yet lock horns.
Extract from : « Our Young Aeroplane Scouts in Germany » by Horace Porter

He could lock horns and stay there, but it wa'nt no trouble to outflank him.
Extract from : « The Desert and The Sown » by Mary Hallock Foote

The latter stood motionless, antlers lowered as before, apparently quite willing to lock horns.
Extract from : « The House in the Water » by Charles G. D. Roberts

In an hour we'll lock horns with Hawk Rufe an' hell an' high water, an' the devil keeps what he gits.
Extract from : « Dwellers in the Hills » by Melville Davisson Post

Oh, considerable—they pulled and hauled about kinder like two cows when they lock horns.
Extract from : « Lincolniana » by Andrew Adderup

It wouldn't do to lock horns with this self-satisfied despot; at any rate, not now.
Extract from : « The Copper-Clad World » by Harl Vincent

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Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019