English Explanatory Dictionary

at daggers drawn

English dictionary entry

Meanings

prep_phrase
  1. In a state of open hostility.

Pronunciation

/æt ˌdæɡəz ˈdɹɔːn/ /æt ˌdæɡəɹz ˈdɹɔn/ En-us-at daggers drawn.oga

Word forms

at daggers drawn

Etymology

Probably a reference to people preparing to fight by drawing their daggers from their sheaths. Compare French à couteaux tirés (literally “at daggers drawn”).

Synonyms

at daggers' points

Related words

at daggers' drawing to daggers' drawing at each other's throats at loggerheads the knives are out
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