Language tip of the week: argument

In this weekly post, we bring more useful content from the Macmillan Dictionary to English language learners. In this series of language tips we look at how metaphor is used to express some common concepts in English. This week’s tip looks at metaphors used to talk about arguments:

An argument is like a fight or war, with people attacking each other’s opinions and defending their own.

She tried to defend herself against his attacks on her ideas.
She shot down his argument.
That is an indefensible point of view.
I decided to pursue another line of attack.
We had a big fight last night, and I went home early.
There was a lot of conflict over what to do next.
They clashed over who to appoint.
It was a real battle of wits.
We did battle with the council about the plans.
I’ve crossed swords with them before.
Tom is always the first to leap to her defence.