come to the scratch
verb
Roget 720:
contend;
contest,
strive,
struggle,
scramble,
wrestle;
spar,
square;
exchange blows,
exchange fisticuffs;
fib†,
justle†,
tussle,
tilt,
box,
stave,
fence;
skirmish;
pickeer†;
fight
etc.
(war)
722;
wrangle
etc.
(quarrel)
713.
contend with
&c.,
grapple with,
engage with,
close with,
buckle with,
bandy with,
try conclusions with,
have a brush
etc.
n..
with,
tilt with;
encounter,
fall foul of,
pitch into,
clapperclaw†,
run a tilt at;
oppose
etc.
708;
reluct.
join issue,
come to blows,
go to loggerheads,
set to,
come to the scratch,
exchange shots,
measure swords,
meet hand to hand;
take up the cudgels,
take up the glove,
take up the gauntlet;
enter the lists;
couch one's lance;
give satisfaction;
appeal to arms;
etc.
(warfare)
722.
lay about one;
break the peace.
compete with,
cope with,
vie with,
race with;
outvie†,
emulate,
rival;
run a race;
contend for
&c.,
stipulate for,
stickle for;
insist upon,
make a point of.
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