be at loggerheads

Meaning

This expression means to be in strong disagreement or dispute with someone, often reaching an impasse or deadlock where neither side wants to compromise. It is used to describe ongoing conflicts between individuals, political parties, or organizations. The tone is neutral but indicates a serious, hard-to-resolve conflict.

Examples

• The two political parties are at loggerheads over the new tax reform bill.

  The two political parties are at loggerheads over the new tax reform bill.

• Management and the union have been at loggerheads for weeks regarding pay raises.

  Management and the union have been at loggerheads for weeks regarding pay raises.

• My sister and I are constantly at loggerheads about how to plan the family reunion.

  My sister and I are constantly at loggerheads about how to plan the family reunion.

• The co-founders were at loggerheads over the future direction of the startup.

  The co-founders were at loggerheads over the future direction of the startup.

• They have been at loggerheads ever since they disagreed on the budget allocation.

  They have been at loggerheads ever since they disagreed on the budget allocation.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ They are in loggerheads about the contract.

  ✓ They are at loggerheads over the contract.

  The idiom uses the preposition 'at' (at loggerheads), and the disagreement is usually 'over' or 'about' a topic.

• ✗ The two managers are at loggerhead.

  ✓ The two managers are at loggerheads.

  The word 'loggerheads' must always be plural in this idiom.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The council members are at ___ over how to spend the budget.

  💡 The word ends with an 's'.

  Show answer

  loggerheads

• We have been at loggerheads ___ our neighbors about the property line.

  💡 Preposition used to introduce the person or group you disagree with.

  Show answer

  with