lock horns

phrase

Synonyms of lock hornsnext
: to come into conflict

Examples of lock horns 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 the shortage is here, and the Water Bank has locked horns with city leaders over policies to retrieve that water. — Alex Hager, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026 Copyright lawsuits aimed at AI firms are nothing new, with seemingly countless publishers currently locking horns with companies like OpenAI and Anthropic. — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 30 Aug. 2026 The shots of it locking horns with a Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider along the Los Angeles River storm canal are still cinematic magic. — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 21 Aug. 2026 There is no indication that organization locked horns with the city over its findings. — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lock horns

Word History

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lock horns was in 1835

Rhymes for lock horns

See All Rhymes for lock horns

Browse Nearby Words

lockhole
lock horns
lock hospital
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lock horns.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lock%20horns. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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