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at loggerheads
log·ger·head L0230000 (lô′gər-hĕd′, lŏg′ər-)n.1. A loggerhead turtle.2. An iron tool consisting of a long handle with a bulbous end, used when heated to melt tar or warm liquids.3. Nautical A post on a whaleboat used to secure the harpoon rope.4. Informal A blockhead; a dolt.Idiom: at loggerheads Engaged in a dispute: The question of car privileges put Sam and his parents at loggerheads.
[Probably dialectal logger, wooden block (probably from log) + head.]at loggerheadsInvolved in a dispute.Thesaurus| Adj. | 1. |  at loggerheads - in a dispute or confrontation; "Sam and his parents were at loggerheads over the question of car privileges"hostile - characterized by enmity or ill will; "a hostile nation"; "a hostile remark"; "hostile actions" |
Translationsat loggerheads
at loggerheadsIn conflict. A "logger" is a 16th-century term for a block of wood, so a "loggerhead" is a blockhead or fool. They are at loggerheads over the best way to lead the committee.See also: loggerheadat loggerheads (with someone) and at loggerheads over somethingFig. in conflict with someone; having reached an impasse (about something). Tom is at loggerheads with Bill. We are at loggerheads with each other. The twins were at loggerheads over who should take the larger room.See also: loggerheadat loggerheadsEngaged in a quarrel or dispute, as in The two families were always at loggerheads, making it difficult to celebrate holidays together . This term may have come from some earlier meaning of loggerhead, referring either to a blockhead or stupid person, or to a long-handled iron poker with a bulb-shaped end that was heated in the fire and used to melt pitch. If it was the latter, it may have been alluded to as a weapon. [Late 1600s] For a synonym, see at odds. See also: loggerheadat loggerheads COMMON If one person or group is at loggerheads with another, they strongly disagree about something. Social workers and doctors are at loggerheads over how well the new system will work. Trevor and his ex-wife Becky ended up at loggerheads — this time having a shouting match on the doorstep. Note: In medieval times, loggerheads were implements with long handles and a round bowl on one end. In battles, the bowl was filled with hot tar, and then thrown at the enemy. See also: loggerheadat loggerheads in violent dispute or disagreement. This expression is possibly a use of loggerhead in the late 17th-century sense of ‘a long-handled iron instrument for heating liquids and tar’; the tool was perhaps also used as a weapon.See also: loggerheadat ˈloggerheads (with somebody) (over something) disagreeing or arguing very strongly (with somebody): The students are at loggerheads with the college over the price of food in the cafeteria. ♢ Management and staff are at loggerheads over the plan.In the past, a loggerhead was a long iron instrument which may have been used as a weapon.See also: loggerhead at loggerheads Engaged in a dispute: The question of car privileges put Sam and his parents at loggerheads.See also: loggerheadEncyclopediaSeeloggerheadat loggerheads
Related to at loggerheads: without a hitchWords related to at loggerheadsadj in a dispute or confrontationRelated Words |