(be) spoiling for
idiom
: to have a strong desire for (something, such as a fight)
They are spoiling for an argument.
The team is spoiling for a rematch.
Examples of (be) spoiling for in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Nonetheless, after eight years of populist rule that hardened the battle lines of Polish politics, much of the public is spoiling for a fight.
—
Rob Picheta, CNN, 27 Jan. 2024
People spoiling for a fight are not put off by facts, any more than by common decency.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2024
Characters like these — working-class, usually white, tortured, spoiling for a fight — aren’t exactly the flavor of the moment among playwrights.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2023
Right-wing Republicans who represent a minority in their party and in Congress have succeeded in sowing mass dysfunction, spoiling for a shutdown, an impeachment and a House coup.
—Carl Hulse, New York Times, 23 Sep. 2023
Without your being able to recognize it, someone might be spoiling for a fight or feeling defensive.
—The Astrotwins, ELLE, 13 Nov. 2022
The Republicans who gathered at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library to watch their party’s presidential primary debate weren’t exactly spoiling for a fight.
—Jennifer Medina, New York Times, 24 Aug. 2023
California governor Gavin Newsom has been spoiling for a fight on the national stage.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 3 Aug. 2023
The other was deadly serious, and some who ventured there ended up spoiling for civil war, committing violent crimes, and brandishing knives, guns, and bullwhips against their phantoms.
—Virginia Heffernan, Wired, 22 Sep. 2020
Rob Picheta, CNN, 27 Jan. 2024
People spoiling for a fight are not put off by facts, any more than by common decency.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2024
Characters like these — working-class, usually white, tortured, spoiling for a fight — aren’t exactly the flavor of the moment among playwrights.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2023
Right-wing Republicans who represent a minority in their party and in Congress have succeeded in sowing mass dysfunction, spoiling for a shutdown, an impeachment and a House coup.
—Carl Hulse, New York Times, 23 Sep. 2023
Without your being able to recognize it, someone might be spoiling for a fight or feeling defensive.
—The Astrotwins, ELLE, 13 Nov. 2022
The Republicans who gathered at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library to watch their party’s presidential primary debate weren’t exactly spoiling for a fight.
—Jennifer Medina, New York Times, 24 Aug. 2023
California governor Gavin Newsom has been spoiling for a fight on the national stage.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 3 Aug. 2023
The other was deadly serious, and some who ventured there ended up spoiling for civil war, committing violent crimes, and brandishing knives, guns, and bullwhips against their phantoms.
—Virginia Heffernan, Wired, 22 Sep. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word '(be) spoiling for.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near (be) spoiling for
Cite this Entry
“(be) spoiling for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/%28be%29%20spoiling%20for. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
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