go to war
Meaning: To start fighting in a war. Examples: “The country went to war with its neighbor.” “They went to war over territory.”
declare war on
Meaning: To officially announce the start of a war. Examples: “Germany declared war on France.” “The president declared war on terrorism.”
take up arms
Meaning: To prepare to fight. Examples: “The citizens took up arms against the invaders.” “They took up arms to defend their homeland.”
rise up
Meaning: To rebel against authority. Examples: “The people rose up against the dictator.” “They rose up in rebellion.”
stand up to
Meaning: To resist or fight against someone more powerful. Examples: “He stood up to the bullies.” “She stood up to the authorities.”
fight back
Meaning: To resist an attack. Examples: “The rebels fought back against government forces.” “Don’t just accept it; fight back!”
strike back
Meaning: To attack someone who has attacked you. Examples: “The army struck back at the enemy.” “They vowed to strike back.”
hit back
Meaning: To retaliate against an attack. Examples: “The government hit back at its critics.” “She hit back with some strong words.”
fight off
Meaning: To resist and repel an attack. Examples: “The soldiers fought off the enemy.” “She fought off her attacker.”
beat off
Meaning: To successfully resist an attack. Examples: “They beat off the invading forces.” “He beat off his assailant.”
ward off
Meaning: To prevent something dangerous from affecting you. Examples: “They lit fires to ward off wild animals.” “Garlic is supposed to ward off vampires.”
fend off
Meaning: To defend yourself against an attack. Examples: “He fended off the dogs with a stick.” “She fended off his advances.”
stave off
Meaning: To prevent something bad from happening for a time. Examples: “They tried to stave off defeat.” “Food supplies helped stave off hunger.”
hold off
Meaning: To prevent someone from defeating you for a time. Examples: “They held off the enemy for three days.” “Can we hold off their attack?”
hold out
Meaning: To continue to resist despite difficulties. Examples: “The town held out against the siege.” “How long can we hold out?”
hold the line
Meaning: To resist pressure; to maintain a position. Examples: “We must hold the line against aggression.” “The troops held the line.”
stand firm
Meaning: To refuse to change your position or opinion. Examples: “The union stood firm on their demands.” “He stood firm despite the pressure.”
stand fast
Meaning: To refuse to move or change. Examples: “The soldiers stood fast against the attack.” “She stood fast in her beliefs.”
stand ground
Meaning: To not retreat or change position. Examples: “He stood his ground despite the threats.” “The army stood its ground.”
dig in
Meaning: To prepare a strong defensive position. Examples: “The soldiers dug in for the night.” “They dug in and waited for the attack.”
bunker down
Meaning: To prepare for a difficult situation. Examples: “The troops bunkered down for the winter.” “We bunkered down to wait out the storm.”
batten down
Meaning: To prepare for a difficult situation. Examples: “They battened down the hatches before the hurricane.” “We need to batten down for the crisis.”
shell (someone/something)
Meaning: To fire shells at a place. Examples: “The enemy shelled the city all night.” “They shelled our positions.”
bomb out
Meaning: To destroy a place by bombing. Examples: “The factory was bombed out during the war.” “They bombed out the entire neighborhood.”
