slug it out

slug it out (third-person singular simple present slugs it out, present participle slugging it out, simple past and past participle slugged it out)

1. (informal) To have an intense argument or fight until one side prevails.
   • 1932, Robert E. Howard, Vikings of the Gloves:

     For once I'd met a man which was willing and able to stand up and slug it out with me.

   • 2021 July 22, Philip Oltermann, “Merkel’s political and scientific sides slug it out in swan song presser”, in The Guardian‎:

     Merkel’s political and scientific sides slug it out in swan song presser [title]