1 B2 idiomatic neutral
To settle a dispute, difference, or competition through prolonged fighting, argument, or contest.
"The two nations finally battled out their territorial dispute in international arbitration."
separable
battle out
B2 neutral separable transitive
To resolve or settle something through intense struggle, competition, or argument.
In plain English
To sort something out by fighting or arguing hard about it.
What does "battle out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To endure or survive a struggle by fighting through to the end.
"The team battled out a narrow draw despite being down to ten men."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To battle (fight) something out — to drive it to a conclusion through combat.
Actually means
To sort something out by fighting or arguing hard about it.
Usage tip
Less fixed and common than 'battle it out.' Can take a direct object (e.g., 'battle out a solution'). Used in contexts of legal disputes, negotiations, and sports.
Words that pair with "battle out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
differences dispute solution agreement draw result
How to conjugate "battle out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
battle out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
battles out
he/she/it
Past simple
battled out
yesterday
Past participle
battled out
have + pp
-ing form
battling out
continuous
Hear "battle out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "battle out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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