skirmish
/ˈskɜːmɪʃ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈskɜːrmɪʃ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈskər-mish/ (ame, mw) · /ˈskɜː.mɪʃ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈskɝː.mɪʃ/ (ame, ipa)
skirmish — noun
- skirmishsingular
- skirmishesplural
1. a brief, unplanned fight involving only a few soldiers, usually happening at a d
a brief, unplanned fight involving only a few soldiers, usually happening at a distance from the main battlefield
The scouts exchanged a brief skirmish with enemy soldiers near the river before retreating.
collocation: brief skirmish / skirmish with [enemy]
A short skirmish broke out between the two patrols at dawn, but neither side gained ground.
collocation: skirmish broke out / skirmish between [two sides]
- ceasefire
an agreed stop to fighting, the opposite of engaging in a skirmish
用法筆記
Frequently used with verbs like 'break out', 'exchange', or 'engage in' to describe the start or occurrence of the fight.
常見錯誤
2. a short, often heated disagreement between people or groups who hold different o
a short, often heated disagreement between people or groups who hold different opinions
The council members had a heated skirmish over the new budget proposal during the meeting.
collocation: heated skirmish / skirmish over [topic]
What began as a quiet discussion turned into a bitter skirmish between the two candidates.
- agreement
the outcome when a skirmish is resolved
用法筆記
Often describes political disagreements or public disputes. Less intense than 'confrontation' but more pointed than 'discussion'.
skirmish — verb
- skirmishpresent simple I / you / we / they
- skirmishes3rd person singular
- skirmishing-ing form
- skirmishedpast simple
1. to engage in a minor, short-duration fight alongside a few fellow soldiers, well
to engage in a minor, short-duration fight alongside a few fellow soldiers, well apart from the main combat zone
Government troops skirmished with rebel forces along the border for about twenty minutes.
pattern: skirmish with [opponent] + duration phrase
The soldiers skirmished briefly at the edge of the forest before pulling back to camp.
文法句型
skirmish + with [opponent]
skirmish + at/on [location]
用法筆記
Almost always intransitive. The opponent is introduced with 'with'. Used mainly in military or conflict reporting.
常見錯誤
2. to argue or disagree with someone for a short period of time on a particular top
to argue or disagree with someone for a short period of time on a particular topic
The two senators skirmished over tax policy during the live television debate.
pattern: skirmish over [topic]
Deepak and Luisa skirmished briefly about who should lead the team project.
文法句型
skirmish + over/about [topic]
用法筆記
Less common than the military verb sense. Found mainly in political or media contexts to describe a quick exchange of opposing views.