have a spat

Meaning

To 'have a spat' means to have a brief, minor, and relatively unimportant argument or disagreement with someone, usually a partner, friend, or family member. It implies the disagreement is petty and won't cause long-term damage to the relationship. The tone is lighthearted or casual, minimizing the severity of the fight.

Examples

• They had a quick spat about whose turn it was to wash the dishes, but they're fine now.

  They had a quick spat about whose turn it was to wash the dishes, but they're fine now.

• My roommate and I had a little spat over the thermostat setting last night.

  My roommate and I had a little spat over the thermostat setting last night.

• It's normal for couples to have a spat every now and then without it being a big deal.

  It's normal for couples to have a spat every now and then without it being a big deal.

• We had a brief spat, but we made up before the movie even started.

  We had a brief spat, but we made up before the movie even started.

• I don't want to have a spat over something as trivial as where we go for dinner.

  I don't want to have a spat over something as trivial as where we go for dinner.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ They had a huge spat and decided to get a divorce.

  ✓ They had a huge fight and decided to get a divorce.

  'Spat' is only used for minor, petty arguments. For major, relationship-ending conflicts, use 'fight', 'argument', or 'row'.

• ✗ I spat with my brother yesterday.

  ✓ I had a spat with my brother yesterday.

  While 'spat' can occasionally be used as a verb, it is far more common and natural to use it as a noun with the verb 'have' ('have a spat').

Related Expressions

Practice

• We had a minor ___ about who should walk the dog, but we quickly forgot about it.

  💡 A short word meaning a petty argument.

  Show answer

  spat

• It's not worth it to ___ with your best friend over a minor misunderstanding.

  💡 Use the full casual phrase for arguing.

  Show answer

  have a spat