B1idiompoliticsIELTS-friendly
a war of words
USUK
a long public argument between people, groups or countries
Common in news headlines. Typical verbs: 'a war of words breaks out', 'be locked in', 'escalate'.
In context
The two candidates are locked in a war of words over taxes.
A war of words broke out online after the singer criticised the show.
More idioms about politics
- a double standarda rule applied more strictly to one group than to another
- a grey areaa situation where the rules are unclear, so nobody is sure what is allowed
- a hidden agendaa secret reason or plan behind what someone says or does
- a hot potatoa difficult issue that people disagree about and nobody wants to deal with
- a lame ducka politician or government with little real power, often near the end of a term in office