come to blows

Definitions

1. 1

   To fight

   To fight; to initiate physical conflict, especially subsequent to escalating tension or antagonism.

   • I'll follow you, Floating Tom, into the Mingo camp, on such an arr'nd, and will strive to do my duty, should we come to blows; though, never having been tried in battle, I don't like to promise more than I may be able to perform.
   • [T]here is a variety of drunkenness. . . . Some stagger about in each other's arms, whispering maudlin words—others start quarrels upon the slightest pretext, and come to blows and have to be pulled apart.
   • The argument grew heated and teammates grabbed the pair to prevent them from coming to blows.
2. 2

   To degrade into a fight or physical conflict (in reference to an argument or to a…

   To degrade into a fight or physical conflict (in reference to an argument or to a situation of tension or antagonism).

   • They exchanged insults, without it coming to blows.

The neighborhood

• synonymcome to grips
• synonymduke it out
• neighborthrow hands