British English Slang – Argy-bargy or argie-bargie.

Meaning – A noisy or lively argument. This expression is used to describe a bad tempered argument. This phrase can also be used to describe a fight or a heated discussion.

Argy-bargy originated in Scotland and is an alteration of the word argue.

There are lots of great English slang expressions related to arguing or fighting, they include:

  • Barney – British slang for a noisy argument or fight.
  • cross swords – To have an argument or disagreement with someone.
  • fisticuffs – A fistfight.
  • kerfuffleA commotion or noisy disagreement.
  • knuckle sandwich – A punch in the mouth.
  • lock horns –  To have an argument or disagreement with someone.
  • scrap – A fight.

The idiom feel blue can be used to describe feeling sad or depressed. You might also feel down in the mouth (idiom) after some argy-bargy!

Example:

  • “Looks like a bit of argy-bargy going on over there. I think it started over a spilled pint!”

In The News:

‘It was just argy-bargy’ – reaction to Casemiro’s red card

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