battle
battle — noun
1. an organized fight using soldiers, weapons, ships, or planes, usually as part of
an organized fight using soldiers, weapons, ships, or planes, usually as part of a war between countries or armies.
The Battle of Waterloo ended the long war against Napoleon in 1815.
the Battle of [place] for named historical engagements
Many young soldiers from the village were killed in the battle.
killed/wounded in (the) battle
Three British ships were lost during a fierce sea battle off the coast.
General Lee led his troops into battle the next morning.
The two armies fought a long battle in the snowy mountains near the border.
- combat
uncountable; covers fighting in general, not one named event
- engagement
formal military term for a single armed clash
- skirmish
small, brief fight between small units, not a full battle
文法句型
the battle of [place]
battle between [side] and [side]
用法筆記
Often appears with the definite article in named engagements ('the Battle of Hastings'). The phrase 'in battle' is uncountable and refers to the experience of combat in general, not one specific fight.
常見錯誤
2. a long and difficult disagreement or contest between people, companies, or polit
a long and difficult disagreement or contest between people, companies, or political groups, often fought publicly through arguments, courts, or the media.
The two brothers are locked in a bitter legal battle over their father's house.
bitter/legal/court battle over [issue]
Senator Diaz won a tough election battle against the former mayor of Lima.
election/political battle against [opponent]
A public battle between the two record labels has delayed the release of the album.
Local farmers have launched a battle against the new highway through their valley.
The price battle between supermarkets is good news for shoppers in Taipei.
- agreement
shared decision that ends the dispute
- compromise
settlement where both sides give up something
文法句型
a battle over [issue]
a battle between [party] and [party]
a legal/political/court battle
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense never refers to physical violence. The 'fighting' is verbal, legal, commercial, or political. Common with 'over' (the issue) and 'between' or 'against' (the parties).
常見錯誤
3. a strong, lasting effort to deal with a serious problem such as an illness, pove
a strong, lasting effort to deal with a serious problem such as an illness, poverty, or addiction, when success is hard and far from certain.
Aunt Rosa lost her long battle with cancer last winter.
battle with [illness]; lose a battle = die
Sleeping only four hours a night, Hana faced a daily battle to stay awake at work.
a battle to + infinitive
The charity is still fighting an uphill battle against child hunger in rural areas.
After the fire, rebuilding the small bakery was a constant battle for the Garcia family.
Zane has been winning his battle with depression thanks to therapy and his dog.
- surrender
giving up the effort
文法句型
a battle to do something
a battle against [problem]
a battle with [illness]
用法筆記
Subject is usually a person (or organisation) in a long, costly fight. 'Lose the battle with [illness]' is a common, gentle way of saying someone died of that illness. Distinguish from sense 2: here the opponent is a problem or condition, not another person or group.
常見錯誤
battle — verb
1. to take part in a fight or armed conflict, especially against an enemy army or r
to take part in a fight or armed conflict, especially against an enemy army or rival group, usually for control or victory.
Roman legions battled the local tribes for control of the river crossing.
battle [opponent] for [goal]
Two boxers battled for twelve hard rounds before the judges chose a winner.
battle for [number] rounds/hours
Pirate ships battled with the British navy near the rocky coast of Jamaica.
Rival gangs battled in the streets of the old city until the police arrived.
The young knight battled bravely against three armed men outside the castle gate.
文法句型
battle [opponent]
battle with/against [opponent]
battle for [goal]
用法筆記
Can be transitive ('battled the enemy') or intransitive with 'with/against'. Often used in news and historical writing to sound more dramatic than 'fight'. The doer is usually a group, army, or trained fighter rather than a casual brawler.
常見錯誤
2. to work very hard over a long time to overcome a serious problem, illness, feeli
to work very hard over a long time to overcome a serious problem, illness, feeling, or unfair situation, often with no clear sign of winning.
Hana has been battling depression since he lost his job two years ago.
battle [illness/feeling]
The Watanabe family battled to save their bakery after the flood damaged the ovens.
battle to + infinitive
Doctors in the small clinic battled against rising rates of diabetes in the village.
Zane battled with his shyness every time he had to speak in class.
Aid workers are battling to deliver food and water to villages cut off by the storm.
文法句型
battle to do something
battle with/against [problem]
battle [illness]
用法筆記
Frequently in the progressive tense ('is battling cancer / is battling to finish'). Distinguish from sense 1: here the opponent is a problem, not a person. Common in news headlines about illness, addiction, poverty, or natural disasters.