Arguments happen when people disagree or have different opinions. Sometimes, arguing can be a way to solve problems or share ideas. But it can also make people upset if it gets too heated. To talk about arguing, people often use special phrases called idioms. These idioms help explain how arguing feels or what happens during a disagreement in a fun and interesting way.
Learning idioms for arguing can help you understand what others mean when they talk about disagreements. It can also make your own speaking and writing more lively. In this article, you will find 30 idioms about arguing. Each idiom comes with its meaning and examples that show how people use them in real life. This will help you recognize these phrases and use them correctly. Let’s get started!
Idioms for Arguing
1. Barking up the wrong tree
Meaning: To blame or accuse the wrong person.
Samples: Sarah said I broke the vase, but she’s barking up the wrong tree. / He was barking up the wrong tree when he blamed me for losing the game.
To Put it Another Way: They are blaming the wrong person. / I didn’t do it, but they think I did.
2. Bite someone’s head off
Meaning: To speak to someone angrily or sharply.
Samples: Mom bit my head off because I forgot my homework. / Don’t bite my head off just because I asked a question.
To Put it Another Way: They got mad and talked harshly. / Someone was angry when they spoke.
3. Break the ice
Meaning: To start a conversation and make people feel comfortable.
Samples: Tim told a joke to break the ice at the party. / We played a game to break the ice in class.
To Put it Another Way: To start talking so people feel less shy. / To make friends easier by talking first.
4. Get on someone’s nerves
Meaning: To annoy or bother someone a lot.
Samples: My little brother gets on my nerves when he takes my things. / Stop tapping your pencil; it’s getting on my nerves.
To Put it Another Way: Someone is making you feel upset or irritated. / Things are bothering you.
5. Hit the roof
Meaning: To become very angry.
Samples: Dad hit the roof when he saw the broken window. / She hit the roof after losing the game.
To Put it Another Way: To get very mad quickly. / To feel angry and upset.
6. In hot water
Meaning: To be in trouble.
Samples: I was in hot water for being late to school. / He got in hot water after breaking the rules.
To Put it Another Way: Someone is in trouble because of what they did. / They might get punished.
7. Keep your cool
Meaning: To stay calm, especially during an argument or problem.
Samples: Even though he was upset, he kept his cool during the debate. / Try to keep your cool when things get hard.
To Put it Another Way: Don’t get angry. / Stay calm and don’t yell.
8. Let off steam
Meaning: To release anger or frustration.
Samples: After the game, I ran outside to let off steam. / She let off steam by talking to her friends.
To Put it Another Way: To calm down by doing something active or talking. / To stop feeling angry.
9. Make a mountain out of a molehill
Meaning: To make a small problem seem much bigger than it really is.
Samples: Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill just because you lost your pencil. / He made a mountain out of a molehill when he got a bad grade.
To Put it Another Way: To worry too much about a small problem. / To think a little trouble is very big.
10. On the warpath
Meaning: Angry and ready to argue.
Samples: Mom was on the warpath when we didn’t clean our room. / The coach was on the warpath after the team lost.
To Put it Another Way: Someone is very mad and ready to argue. / They are angry and want to complain.
11. Play devil’s advocate
Meaning: To argue the opposite side to help a discussion.
Samples: I played devil’s advocate to help us think about both sides. / Sometimes, I play devil’s advocate just to make the debate interesting.
To Put it Another Way: To say the other side even if you don’t agree. / To help people see both opinions.
12. Put your foot down
Meaning: To be firm and refuse to change your mind.
Samples: Dad put his foot down and said no more video games before homework. / She put her foot down when her friends wanted to skip class.
To Put it Another Way: To say “no” strongly. / To stand firm and not give in.
13. Raise your voice
Meaning: To speak louder because you are upset or angry.
Samples: He raised his voice when he didn’t get his way. / Don’t raise your voice; we can talk calmly.
To Put it Another Way: To talk loud when angry. / To yell a little.
14. See eye to eye
Meaning: To agree with someone.
Samples: My sister and I finally saw eye to eye about our chores. / We don’t always see eye to eye, but we try to listen.
To Put it Another Way: To agree and think the same. / To have the same opinion.
15. Stick to your guns
Meaning: To keep your opinion even if others disagree.
Samples: She stuck to her guns and said her idea was the best. / I stuck to my guns even when they didn’t agree.
To Put it Another Way: To not change your mind. / To keep believing in what you think.
16. Take something the wrong way
Meaning: To misunderstand and feel upset.
Samples: He took my joke the wrong way and got mad. / Don’t take it the wrong way; I was just kidding.
To Put it Another Way: To think something bad when it was not meant that way. / To get upset because of a mistake.
17. Throw in the towel
Meaning: To give up during an argument or fight.
Samples: After arguing for a long time, she threw in the towel. / I wanted to keep talking, but he threw in the towel.
To Put it Another Way: To stop arguing or trying. / To say “I give up.”
18. Up in arms
Meaning: Very angry or upset about something.
Samples: The students were up in arms about the new rule. / Mom was up in arms when the cookies were gone.
To Put it Another Way: To be very mad or upset. / To be ready to complain.
19. Walk away
Meaning: To leave an argument instead of fighting.
Samples: I decided to walk away to avoid more trouble. / Sometimes, it’s best to walk away and cool down.
To Put it Another Way: To leave and stop arguing. / To go away instead of fighting.
20. Water under the bridge
Meaning: Something bad that happened but is now forgotten.
Samples: We had a fight, but that’s water under the bridge now. / Don’t worry about the argument; it’s water under the bridge.
To Put it Another Way: The problem is over and forgotten. / We don’t think about it anymore.
21. Blow your top
Meaning: To get very angry suddenly.
Samples: He blew his top when he lost the game. / Mom blew her top when she found the broken toy.
To Put it Another Way: To get very mad quickly. / To lose your temper.
22. Clear the air
Meaning: To talk about a problem and fix it.
Samples: We had a talk to clear the air after our fight. / It helped to clear the air and feel better again.
To Put it Another Way: To solve a problem by talking. / To make things okay again.
23. Cool as a cucumber
Meaning: To stay very calm even when upset.
Samples: Even during the argument, she was cool as a cucumber. / He stayed cool as a cucumber when people were yelling.
To Put it Another Way: To be very calm and not angry. / To stay relaxed.
24. Cross swords
Meaning: To argue or fight with words.
Samples: The two friends crossed swords over the game rules. / They crossed swords about who should be the leader.
To Put it Another Way: To argue or disagree. / To have a fight with words.
25. Cry over spilled milk
Meaning: To be upset about something that cannot be changed.
Samples: Don’t cry over spilled milk if you lose a game. / It’s no use crying over spilled milk after the mistake.
To Put it Another Way: To be sad about something that’s done. / To worry about a problem you can’t fix.
26. Fly off the handle
Meaning: To lose control and get very angry.
Samples: He flew off the handle when he couldn’t find his book. / She flew off the handle during the argument.
To Put it Another Way: To get angry suddenly. / To lose your temper fast.
27. Get something off your chest
Meaning: To say something that has been bothering you.
Samples: I needed to get it off my chest and tell my friend how I felt. / She got it off her chest by talking to her teacher.
To Put it Another Way: To tell someone your feelings. / To say what’s been worrying you.
28. Have a bone to pick
Meaning: To want to talk about a problem or complaint.
Samples: I have a bone to pick with you about your messy room. / She had a bone to pick after the game.
To Put it Another Way: To want to talk about a problem. / To have something to complain about.
29. In one ear and out the other
Meaning: When someone does not listen or forgets what was said.
Samples: My teacher’s words went in one ear and out the other. / He said sorry, but it went in one ear and out the other.
To Put it Another Way: Not listening or forgetting quickly. / Not paying attention.
30. Put your cards on the table
Meaning: To be honest and say what you really think.
Samples: I put my cards on the table and told the truth. / She put her cards on the table and shared her opinion.
To Put it Another Way: To be honest about your thoughts. / To say what you really feel.
Find the Topics: Idioms for Arguing
Last week at school, Mia and her friend Jake had a small disagreement about the class project. Mia was trying to keep her cool, but Jake started to raise his voice because he wanted to do everything his way. Their teacher told them to put their cards on the table and be honest about what they thought.
Even though Jake was upset, Mia decided to walk away for a few minutes to calm down. After that, they talked again and were able to clear the air. Mia said she didn’t want to bite Jake’s head off, and Jake agreed to listen more carefully.
In the end, they realized they didn’t always see eye to eye, but they could still work as a team. Their friends were happy they didn’t throw in the towel and gave them a cheer.
Task:
Read the story again. Underline or list all 8 idioms for arguing you find in the passage.
Answer Key
- Keep her cool
- Raise his voice
- Put their cards on the table
- Walk away
- Clear the air
- Bite someone’s head off
- See eye to eye
- Throw in the towel
Conclusion
Arguments can happen to everyone. Sometimes, people get upset or disagree, but it is important to stay calm and talk honestly. Idioms about arguing help us understand how people feel during disagreements.
By learning these phrases, you can know what others mean and use them to express your own thoughts. Remember, even when you don’t agree, there are ways to work things out without getting too angry. Understanding idioms for arguing makes talking and listening easier for everyone.
