1 B2 informal
(Sport/Fighting) To engage in a hard and prolonged physical fight
"The two boxers slugged it out for twelve brutal rounds before a decision was reached."
slug it out
B2 informal intransitive
To engage in a prolonged, hard-fought physical or figurative contest or argument
In plain English
To fight or compete hard against someone for a long time until one side wins
What does "slug it out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
(Figurative) To compete fiercely or argue at length until a winner or resolution is found
"The two candidates slugged it out in the final televised debate before election day."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To trade heavy punches until one boxer wins
Actually means
To fight or compete hard against someone for a long time until one side wins
Usage tip
A fixed idiom. Used for both physical fights (boxing) and figurative contests (legal battles, business competition, political rivalries). The phrase is always in this fixed form.
Words that pair with "slug it out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
rivals candidates teams lawyers boxers competitors
How to conjugate "slug it out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
slug it out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
slugs it out
he/she/it
Past simple
sluged it out
yesterday
Past participle
sluged it out
have + pp
-ing form
sluging it out
continuous
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