them's fighting words

them's fighting words

cliché What was said warrants a fight or confrontation. "Fighting" is often rendered as "fightin'" for colloquial or ironic effect. A: "You're dad was a sissy!" B: "Them's fightin' words, pal—I'm gonna knock your block off!" But to suggest that our nation should bend to the will of another, well, them's fighting words around these parts.See also: fight, word

Them's fighting words!

Rur. What you just said will lead to a fight. (Said as a threat.) I heard what you said about my brother, and them's fighting words. Put up your dukes. Them's fighting words!See also: fight