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argue
argue the point
To argue or debate a specific side or perspective of an issue at hand, often more for the sake of argument than a genuine attempt to persuade the opposing side. I know it is generally accepted that the book's story is a metaphor for capitalism, but I'd like to argue the point that the whole work is actually a satire. I'm not going to argue the point with you, Alex. We just don't see eye to eye.
argue against
1. To state reasons in opposition to something. My uncle is an ardent liberal and argues against my mother's conservative beliefs every time they're together.
2. To serve as evidence in opposition to something. Hinton's novel argues against a simplistic understanding of teenage life in the 1960s.
argue back
To respond angrily or rudely at an inappropriate or unwelcome time. Don't argue back to me, young lady. Your students don't respect you, that's why they always argue back when you try to discipline them.
argue (someone/something) down
1. To successfully sway or influence someone who has an opposing viewpoint. They opposed this bill for so long that I'm amazed we were finally able to argue them down.
2. To successfully sway someone to lower the price of something. At a flea market, you can always try to argue the prices down. A: "He's asking $20 for it." B: "Try to argue him down to $10."
argue for
1. To state reasons in support of someone or something. My mother has spent her life arguing for women's rights. She's my daughter—I will always argue for her.
2. To serve as evidence in support of something. Hinton's novel argues for an understanding of youth as a complex, traumatic time.
argue (one) into
To convince someone to take a particular action. Can't you argue the salesman into giving us a better deal on the car? I'm sorry, but you can't argue me into voting for that candidate.
argue out
To discuss opposing views, with the goal of resolving a dispute. A noun is sometimes used between "argue" and "out." If you two ever hope to reconcile, you need to argue this out now. As a lawyer, I have listened to a lot of couples argue out the terms of their divorce.
argue the toss
To dispute something. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. Their decision to fire me was unfair, and I will argue the toss until the day I die!
argue (one's) way out (of)
To escape a problem or punishment by a clever or otherwise effective argument or explanation. How did she argue her way out of yet another speeding ticket? I am absolutely furious with you; there is no way you can just argue your way out this time.
argue with
To debate or exchange opposing viewpoints on a particular topic with another person. I have been arguing with my brother about this for years—I doubt we will ever reach an agreement. Don't argue with your teacher, just do your homework as assigned.
arguing for the sake of arguing
Continuing a disagreement solely out of obstinance. We have a potential compromise, so he's just arguing for the sake of arguing now.
argue against someone or something
1. Lit. [for someone] to make a case against someone or something; to oppose the choice of someone or something in an argument. I am preparing myself to argue against the case. Liz argued against Tom as the new president, but we chose him anyway.
2. Fig. [for something, such as facts] to support a case against someone or something in an argument; [for something, such as facts] to support a case against the choice of someone or something in an argument. I have uncovered something that argues against continuing this friendship. His own remarks argue against his qualifications for the office, but he probably will be elected anyway.
argue back
to argue with or oppose someone; to answer back (to someone); to talk back (to someone). (Usually said of persons who are supposed to listen and obey without comment.) Please don't argue back all the time. I wish you children did not argue back so much.
argue for someone or something
to make a case in favor of someone or something; to speak on behalf of someone or something in an argument. Are you prepared to argue strongly for this proposal? We will argue for our candidate in the debate.
argue one's way out of something
and argue one's way outto talk and get oneself free of a problem. You can't argue your way out of this! It's a problem, and there is no way that you can argue your way out.
argue someone down
to defeat someone in a debate. Sally could always argue him down if she had to. She tries to argue down everyone she meets.
argue someone into doing something
to convince or persuade someone to do something. She was unable to argue the manager into attending. She was unable to argue herself into doing something so unpleasant.
argue something down
1. Lit. to reduce something, such as a bill or a price, by arguing. I tried to argue the price down, but it did no good. Tom could not argue down the bill.
2. Fig. to urge the defeat of a proposal or a motion in a meeting through discussion. I am prepared to argue the proposal down in court. She will argue down the proposal in the council meeting.
argue something out
to settle something by discussing all the important points. We are going to have to argue this out some other time. Must we argue out every single detail of this contract?
argue (with someone) (over someone or something)
and argue (with someone) (about someone or something)to dispute or quarrel over someone or something with someone. Are you going to argue with her over something so simple? I wish you wouldn't argue over money with me. We always argue about who should drive. Don't argue with me!
argue with something
to challenge or dispute something; to dispute someone's statement of fact. I won't argue with your conclusions. It is not a good idea to argue with the facts.
arguing for the sake of arguing
and arguing for the sake of argumentarguing simply to be difficult or contrary. You are just arguing for the sake ofarguing. You don't even know what the issue is. He is annoying, because he is always arguing for the sake of argument.
(I) can't argue with that.
Inf. I agree with what you said.; It sounds like a good idea. Tom: This sure is good cake. Bob: Can't argue with that. Sue: What do you say we go for a swim? Fred: I can't argue with that.
argue the toss
(British & Australian informal) to disagree with a decision or statement Are you prepared to argue the toss when you might have to go to court to prove it?
argue against
v.1. To present reasons opposing something; make a case against something: In my history paper, I argued against the idea that we could have won the war.
2. To act as evidence against something: There are some new scientific discoveries that argue against earlier ideas about the growth of cells.
argue down
v.1. To end the opposition of someone or something by arguing strongly: He tried to object, but I argued him down. Our tax reform proposal was argued down by the committee.
2. To negotiate some lower price: The buyer argued me down to such a low price that I made no profit from the sale. If you want to buy that washing machine, I'm sure you can argue down the owner to half the price.
argue for
v.1. To put forth reasons supporting something; make a case for something: The students argued for a new gymnasium, but the administration did not want to spend the money needed to build it.
2. To act as evidence or support for something: These new facts argue for a different analysis. The fact that your route to work is so slow argues for giving my suggestion a try.
3. To speak on behalf of someone in an argument: Lawyers are supposed to argue for their clients.
argue with
v.1. To engage in an argument or quarrel with someone: I argue with my brothers and sisters all the time about who should wash the dishes.
2. To challenge or dispute something: It is difficult to argue with your conclusions, but I still feel that you are not taking all of the facts into account.