15+ Slang Words For Fighting (And How To Use Them)

Written by Gabriel Cruz - Foodie, Animal Lover, Slang & Language Enthusiast

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Fighting has always been a part of human history. There are plenty of slang words from around the world that are related to fighting, from casual conflicts between friends to the more serious ones. Read on to learn more!

Slang Words for Fighting (in Alphabetical Order)

Bang Out

Meaning:

  • (Verb) To fight or hit someone, often used in urban areas. Originally means to play something loudly. 
  • Example: You better watch your manners or I’m gonna bang you out. 
Bang Out

Beat up

Meaning:

  • (Verb) To beat or fight someone until they are severely hurt
  • Example: Your son was bullying my kid and beating him up every recess. 
Beat up

Beat Your Ass

Meaning:

  • (Verb) Similar to beat up but in a more vulgar manner. 
  • Example: You better run or else. After what you did, I should beat your ass.
Beat Your Ass

Chuck 'Em

Meaning:

  • (Verb) Fighting someone violently, usually with stuff thrown. 
  • Example: When he went for my keys, I knew I had to chuck’em or else, we might be in more trouble.
Chuck 'Em

Do

Meaning:

  • (Verb) A very versatile slang that can mean a lot of things, including fighting. 
  • Example: After I’m done with my homework, I'm gonna have to do sensei for my blue belt. 
Do

Donnybrook

Meaning:

  • (Noun)This slang word comes from Ireland and it means a brawl, all-out fight, or riot.
  • Example: A donnybrook broke out in the annual fair. Some drunk dudes started arguing about hotdogs.
Donnybrook

Dropping Gloves

Meaning:

  • (Verb) This slang phrase means to be ready to start a fight or just fight. Very popular in the Northern American Region especially in Canada. Often used in the sport of hockey. 
  • Example: Wayne got in the penalty box for dropping gloves with the goalie. 
Dropping Gloves

Dusting Up

Meaning:

  • (Verb) To fight or argue about something.
  • Example: Jarred and Dave were dusting up before the police came.
Dusting Up

Kerfuffle

Meaning:

  • (Noun) An old British slang for any commotion, fuss, or fighting that is going on outside.
  • Example: There was some minor kerfuffle after the Knicks lost in the playoffs.
Kerfuffle

Mess Up

Meaning:

  • (Verb) To severely hurt or fight someone.  
  • Example: I’m gonna mess you up if you don’t return my mom’s wedding ring.
Mess Up

Saturday Night Square-Up

Meaning:

  • (Noun) In England, this means two drunk people fighting on the streets over nonsense. 
  • Example: At the bar, there was some Saturday night square-up that was really funny because they were too tipsy to do anything.
Saturday Night Square-Up

Scrap/scrapping

Meaning:

  • (Verb) This slang is mostly used in the New York area. This substitutes the word “fighting” or “fight” 
  • Example: Uncle and my dad scrapped when the money lost was brought up. They have been in really bad terms after that.
Scrap_scrapping

Scuffle

Meaning:

  • (Noun) A combination of the words “shove” and “shuffle,” this slang if often utilized in the English regions. It refers to fighting or some form of close-quarter struggling. 
  • Example: Spike Lee and Reggie Miller got caught on camera in a scuffle after the Pacers won over the Knicks.
Scuffle

Tuning Up

Meaning:

  • (Verb) A euphemistic slang for two people fighting. It means that they were just warming up or getting their sweat on. 
  • Example: Manny got to tuning up with Mayweather after the first round.
Tuning Up

Wrecking

Meaning:

  • (Verb) Acts similarly to mess up and implies a violent fight.
  • Example: After he incapacitated the goons, the hero started wrecking the spoiled villain as retribution.
Wrecking

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