Tug of war Meaning and Definition
Tug of war
Pronunciation
/ˈtʌɡ əv wər/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A competitive game played by two teams, each trying to pull a rope, cord, or strap in opposite directions, typically pulling on handles attached to the ropes.
Examples
- The kids played tug of war at the park.
- The team practiced tug of war before the competition.
Synonyms
- Pull of war
- Pulling contest
Etymology
The term “tug of war” has been used in English since the late 16th century, derived from the Old English words “tócan” meaning “to pull” and “weg” meaning “struggle” or “competition”.
Usage Notes
Tug of war can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more commonly used in casual conversations and children’s play.
Cultural References
Tug of war has been featured in various forms of media, including children’s books, films, and video games.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Tug of war is often used idiomatically to describe a competitive or contentious situation, such as “the company is engaged in a tug of war with its supplier over pricing”.
Related Words or Phrases
- Team
- game
- contest
Collocations
Tug of war is often collocated with words such as “play”, “contest”, “game”, and “competition”.
Frequency of Use
Tug of war is a relatively common term, especially in informal settings, and is often used in everyday conversations.
Common Misspellings
- Tgue of war
- Tug o war
- Tug off war