lock horns

Meaning

This expression means to engage in a heated argument, disagreement, or fight with someone. It comes from the image of male animals, like stags or bulls, fighting with their horns tangled. It is used casually to describe two strong-willed people clashing.

Examples

• The two managers always lock horns during budget meetings.

  The two managers always lock horns during budget meetings.

• I don't want to lock horns with my sister over holiday plans again.

  I don't want to lock horns with my sister over holiday plans again.

• They locked horns over who should get credit for the project.

  They locked horns over who should get credit for the project.

• The mayor and the city council are expected to lock horns on the new tax law.

  The mayor and the city council are expected to lock horns on the new tax law.

• We used to lock horns all the time when we were teenagers.

  We used to lock horns all the time when we were teenagers.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ They locked their horns about the decision.

  ✓ They locked horns over the decision.

  Do not use possessive pronouns like 'their' with this idiom, and use 'over' or 'with' instead of 'about'.

• ✗ I locked horns to my boss yesterday.

  ✓ I locked horns with my boss yesterday.

  You lock horns 'with' someone, not 'to' someone.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The defense attorney and the prosecutor are bound to ________ in court today.

  💡 Argue or clash strongly

  Show answer

  lock horns

• I always ________ with my dad when we talk about politics.

  💡 Have a heated debate or disagreement

  Show answer

  lock horns