See Also: argue(dictionary)
argue(dictionary)

argue (oh)



[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: arguer, from Latin arguere 'to make clear']
[I] to disagree with someone in words, often in an angry way
::We could hear the neighbours arguing.
argue with
::Gallacher continued to argue with the referee throughout the game.
argue about
::They were arguing about how to spend the money.
argue over
::The children were arguing over which TV programme to watch.
[I and T] to state, giving clear reasons, that something is true, should be done etc
argue that
::Croft argued that a date should be set for the withdrawal of troops.
:: It could be argued that a dam might actually increase the risk of flooding.
argue for/against (doing) sth
::Baker argued against cutting the military budget.
::She argued the case for changing the law.
::The researchers put forward a well-argued case for banning the drug.
::They argued the point (=discussed it) for hours without reaching a conclusion.
argue sb into/out of doing sth
BrE to persuade someone to do or not do something
::Joyce argued me into buying a new jacket.
[T] formal to show that something clearly exists or is true
::The statement argues a change of attitude by the management.
argue the toss
BrE informal to continue to argue about a decision that has been made and cannot be changed
::There was no point arguing the toss after the goal had been disallowed.
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WORD FOCUS: argue
synonyms: fight, quarrel, have a row (BrE)
to argue about unimportant things: squabble, bicker, quibble
to stop arguing: bury the hatchet, settle your differences, make your peace with somebody, make it up (=used about friends or lovers)