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duke it out

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duke it out

Sl. to have a fistfight. John told George to meet him in the alley so they could duke it out.

See also: duke, out

duke it out

to compete against someone or something The airlines are duking it out, offering better service and cheaper fares as a way of attracting passengers.

Usage notes: often used in newspaper writing to describe competition between political candidates: Candidates are still duking it out in state primaries, with no one the clear winner yet.

Related vocabulary: fight it out

Etymology: based on the slang meaning of duke (to hit or fight someone with your hands)

See also: duke, out

duke it out

phr. to have a fistfight. John told George to meet him in the alley so they could duke it out.

See also: duke, out