locked horns

phrase

past tense of lock horns

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of locked horns There is no indication that organization locked horns with the city over its findings. Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026 When the paper’s management locked horns with workers during the 2024 strike, many staffers saw the use of AI to cut costs or counter labor actions as a betrayal of these principles. Milad Jalalian Ebrahimi, The Conversation, 29 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for locked horns
butted heads
Phrase
  • As local and county officials butted heads over how to address the historic deficit, disagreements over how to avoid insolvency grew into an increasingly public power struggle.
    Chaewon Chung August 16, Sacbee.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Coppola and cinematographer Gordon Willis butted heads on the first film.
    Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Locked horns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/locked%20horns. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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