Violence idioms

                  Violence  (Idioms )
bandit territory
A geographical area where law enforcement is practically impossible, because people ignore all rules, is called 'bandit territory'.
There are a certain number of bandit territories in the world where travellers are advised not to go.
beat black and blue
If a person is covered with bruise marks caused by being hit, they have been beaten black and blue.
The passenger was beaten black and blue by a gang of thugs.
beat/knock the (living) daylights
If a person beats the (living) daylights out of another, they hit them very hard and repeatedly.
If I catch you stealing again I'll beat the daylights out of you!
come to blows
If two or more people come to blows, they start to fight.
The debate was so intense that the participants almost came to blows.
fight like cat and dog
Two people who fight or argue like cat and dog frequently have violent arguments, even though they are fond of each other.
They fight like cat and dog but they're still together after 30 years.
fight tooth and nail
 
 
If you fight tooth and nail for something, you fight with energy and determination.
The Transport Minister fought tooth and nail to have the proposed road safety law accepted.
fight an uphill battle
 
 
A person faced with an uphill battle has to struggle against very unfavourable circumstances.
After the terrible accident, his recovery was an uphill battle all the way.
free-for-all
This term refers to an uncontrolled situation such as an argument or fight where everyone present can do what they like.
It started as a serious debate but turned into a free-for-all.
gloves are off!
This expression is used when there are signs that a fight is about to start.
The two candidates are out of their seats. The gloves are off!
head on a platter
If someone makes you so angry that you want them to be punished, you want their head on a platter.
He was so angry when he read the article about his family that he wanted the journalist's head on a platter.
road rage
 
 
Aggressive driving habits sometimes resulting in violence against other drivers is called road rage.
A number of accidents today are a direct result of road rage.
take cover
When someone takes cover, they hide from a danger in a place where they find protection.
As soon as the explosion was heard, people ran to take cover.
tit for tat
 
 
This expression refers to an injury or insult given in return for one received.
"He kicked me, so I kicked him - it was tit for tat!" said the boy.
up in arms
If you are up in arms about something, you are very angry.
The population was up in arms over the demolition of the old theatre.





 

in/through the wars
If a person or thing has been in (or through) the wars, they show signs of rough treatment, injury or damage.
He arrived in a car that looked as if it had been in the wars.  

Improve English Vocabulary