(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
Mass incarceration, which swept the country in the late twentieth century, rested on the assumption that a person spoiling for a fight with another person was weighing costs: that the difference between ten years and twenty-five would matter.
—
Malcolm Gladwell, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
Many in the party were spoiling for a shutdown fight and feel that Schumer sold them out.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 17 Mar. 2025
It’s never been more clear that the Democratic Party—both activist and rank-and-file wings alike—is spoiling for a fight.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 19 Mar. 2025
But the Administration is clearly spoiling for a fight.
—Ruth Marcus, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for (be) spoiling for
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.
Malcolm Gladwell, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
Many in the party were spoiling for a shutdown fight and feel that Schumer sold them out.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 17 Mar. 2025
It’s never been more clear that the Democratic Party—both activist and rank-and-file wings alike—is spoiling for a fight.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 19 Mar. 2025
But the Administration is clearly spoiling for a fight.
—Ruth Marcus, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for (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 2 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share