battle

battle

I

bat‧tle¹ W2 /ˈbætl/ noun [countable]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

battle² 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