battle of the sexes

Definitions

1. 1

   The persistent state of rivalry, opposition, or tension between men and women in society.

   • "You've heard of what they call the battle of the sexes, haven't you?" She thought she had. "Well, that's what it comes from chiefly—the crowds of polygamous men and the small number of polygamous women."
   • And when she returns to the battle of the sexes, she can state the situation in its starkest terms—"I hurt you/'cause you hurt me."
   • On the question of whether men have lost the battle of the sexes, a majority of both men and women disagree (62% of men, 58% of women).
2. 2

   Any competition between men and women.

3. 3

   A situation in which two people want to do different things, but do them together.

The neighborhood

• neighborsexual politics