duke it out

phrase

: to engage in a fight and especially a fistfight

Examples of duke it out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But that’s not stopped the current and former mayors – who duked it out in what many describe as the nastiest local election in recent history – from going at it again. — Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026 Democrats Alex Vindman and Angie Nixon are duking it out for the Democratic nomination. — Caroline Linton, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026 The two duked it out at the prep level — Fletcher at Plantation American Heritage, Moten at Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons — and understand just how difficult the other one is to face. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026 Each bot will represent an argument about AI usage, and attendees at Black Hat can step up, take control of a bot that supports their claim, and duke it out with the opposition. — Kim Key, PC Magazine, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for duke it out

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of duke it out was in 1965

Rhymes for duke it out

See All Rhymes for duke it out

Browse Nearby Words

duked up
duke it out
dukeling
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Duke it out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/duke%20it%20out. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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