bat‧tle 1 W2 / bætl / 名词 [可数名词]

1 fight a fight between opposing armies, groups of ships, groups of people etc, especially one that is part of a larger war :

the Battle of Trafalgar

in battle

Her son was killed in battle.

into battle

a knight riding into battle

battle between

battles between government forces and the rebels

a pitched battle (= a long and serious battle ) between police and drug gangs

2 competition/argument a situation in which opposing groups or people compete or argue with each other when trying to achieve success or control :

a long-running legal battle

battle for

a battle for custody of their children

battle between

a fierce ratings battle between rival TV stations

battle with

an ongoing battle with my mother about eating properly

3 change bad situation an attempt to solve a difficult problem or change an unpleasant situation

battle against

a battle against the racism of the school system

battle with

a long battle with lung cancer

battle for

Scientology has fought long battles for acceptance as a religion.

4 be half the battle to be a difficult or important part of what you have to do :

Just getting an interview is half the battle.

5 a battle of wits a situation in which opposing sides try to win by using their intelligence :

A good mystery story is a battle of wits between author and reader.

6 battle of wills a situation in which opposing sides refuse to change what they want, in the hope that the other side will decide to change first :

a battle of wills between teacher and student

7 do battle (with somebody) to argue with someone or fight against someone :

She walked into the room with her eyes blazing, ready to do battle.

8 fight your own battles to argue with someone, or compete in a difficult situation, without having help from other people – used to show approval :

It’s all right, Mum. I can fight my own battles.

9 the battle of the sexes the relationship between men and women when it is considered as a fight for power

10 the battle of the bulge the act of trying to lose weight – used humorously

COLLOCATIONS

动词

fight a battle ( also wage a battle formal ) The police are fighting a tough battle against crime. | Many areas around here are waging a constant battle against vandalism.

win a battle It’s essential to win the battle against inflation.

lose a battle a brave little girl who lost her battle against cancer

face a battle Paul faces a frantic battle to be fit for the match in November.

形容词

a long/lengthy battle his long battle with alcoholism

an uphill battle (= one that is very difficult ) For most people losing weight is an uphill battle.

a tough/hard battle He faces a tough battle to prove his innocence.

a constant battle As a student, life was a constant battle against debt.

a losing battle (= one that is going to fail ) She was fighting a losing battle to stop herself from crying.