tussle with someone or something
1. to struggle or battle with someone or something. Tim tussled with Roger for a while, and then they made peace. I tussled with the trunk, trying to get it into the attic.
2. Fig. to argue or contend with someone, a group, or something. (Fig. on {2}.) I tussled with my conscience all night. We tussled with the committee and won our point.