duke out
C1 slang separable transitive
In simple words
To punch someone until they are knocked out or defeated.
Literal meaning: 'Dukes' is slang for fists — to duke someone out is to knock them out with your fists.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
slang
(Informal, chiefly American) To knock someone out or defeat them decisively in a physical fight.
"He duked out his opponent in the third round and walked away with the title."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Less standard than 'duke it out'. Primarily American English slang. Rarely used outside of informal spoken contexts or colloquial writing. ESL learners should know 'duke it out' first.
Commonly used with
opponent rival round fight
Forms
Base
duke out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
dukes out
he/she/it
Past simple
duked out
yesterday
Past participle
duked out
have + pp
-ing form
duking out
continuous
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