Fight

put up a fight

Workers at Ford’s lorry plant are determined to put up a fight to save their jobs.

carry on the fight

More money has been promised to help scientists to carry on the fight to find a cure for AIDS.

step up the fight

In response to public pressure, the government has promised to step up the fight against drugs.

be engaged in a fight

My company is engaged in a bitter fight with the local council, who are refusing us planning permission for a new factory.

give up fight

Although jailed for twenty years by the military government, he refuses to give up his fight for freedom of speech.

lose fight

If you ask me, the police seem to be losing the fight against crime.

good fight

I’m not surprised we lost. Fairford United were a much better side, but we managed to put up a good fight.

easy fight

It won’t be an easy fight. The government  will have to work hard to convince people that this change to the law is in their interests.

tough fight

The new director has got a tough fight on his hands. I’m not sure it was a good idea to take on the union. I can’t see them accepting the new working conditions that he wants.

brave fight

She died after a brave fight against breast cancer.

fair fight

I don’t know what he’s complaining anout.it was a fair fight. The referee couldn’t have been fairer.

fight to end

It’ll be a fight to the bitter end.

fight against time

Hurry up! We’re in a fight against time.

a fight over driver

They had a fight over who should drive.

fight with a boy

He was in a fight with an older boy.

fight for medal

The fight for the gold medal will be interesting!

a major breakthrough in the fight

This new drug could be a major breakthrough in the fight Against MS.

play in the fight

As citizens we all have a part to play in the fight against crime.

continue the fight

He believes he’s innocent and he’s continuing the fight to clear his name.

lead the fight

Union president, Harry Muldon, is leading the fight to stop compulsory redundancies.

play in fight

The church has played a big part in the fight for the rights of the unborn child.

 

Notes

• Note the expressions with ‘fight’:

A motorcyclist lost his fight for life after being critically injured in a collision with a bus.

Only one company can succeed. It will be a real fight to the death.

• A fight can also be a physical struggle:

A fight broke out between rival groups of football fans.

Police were on the scene in minutes and broke up the fight before it escalated into a riot.

He put up a real fight when the police arrested him.

My son is always getting into fights.

• Note how we say that something is going to be difficult:

You’ll have a fight on your hands to get your ideas past the board.