at loggerheads

Nội Dung Chính

In conflict. A “logger” is a 16th-century term for a block of wood, so a “loggerhead” is a blockhead or fool.

They are at loggerheads over the best way to lead the committee.

See also: loggerhead

at loggerheads

(with someone)

and at loggerheads over

something

and

Fig. in conflict with someone; having reached an impasse (about something).

Tom is at loggerheads with Bill.

We are at loggerheads with each other.

The twins were at loggerheads over who should take the larger room.

See also: loggerhead

at loggerheads

The two families were always at loggerheads, making it difficult to celebrate holidays together . This term may have come from some earlier meaning of loggerhead, referring either to a blockhead or stupid person, or to a long-handled iron poker with a bulb-shaped end that was heated in the fire and used to melt pitch. If it was the latter, it may have been alluded to as a weapon. [Late 1600s] For a synonym, see

Engaged in a quarrel or dispute, as in. This term may have come from some earlier meaning of, referring either to a blockhead or stupid person, or to a long-handled iron poker with a bulb-shaped end that was heated in the fire and used to melt pitch. If it was the latter, it may have been alluded to as a weapon. [Late 1600s] For a synonym, see at odds

See also: loggerhead

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

at loggerheads

COMMON

If one person or group is at loggerheads with another, they strongly disagree about something.

Social workers and doctors are at loggerheads over how well the new system will work.

Trevor and his ex-wife Becky ended up at loggerheads — this time having a shouting match on the doorstep.

Note: In medieval times, loggerheads were implements with long handles and a round bowl on one end. In battles, the bowl was filled with hot tar, and then thrown at the enemy.

See also: loggerhead

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

at loggerheads

in violent dispute or disagreement.

This expression is possibly a use of loggerhead in the late 17th-century sense of ‘a long-handled iron instrument for heating liquids and tar’; the tool was perhaps also used as a weapon.

See also: loggerhead

at ˈloggerheads (with somebody) (over something)

disagreeing or arguing very strongly (with somebody):

The students are at loggerheads with the college over the price of food in the cafeteria.

♢

Management and staff are at loggerheads over the plan.

In the past, a loggerhead was a long iron instrument which may have been used as a weapon.

See also: loggerhead

In the past, a loggerhead was a long iron instrument which may have been used as a weapon.

at loggerheads

Engaged in a dispute:

The question of car privileges put Sam and his parents at loggerheads.

See also: loggerhead

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.