IDIOMS ABOUT DISAGREEMENT

TO AGREE TO DISAGREE – to decide to not continue arguing because neither of the opponents would change their opinion

There are many couples in the world: young, just married couples, who think that their life will be filled with love and mutual understanding, and spouses who've lived together for many years and know that life is made not only of joyful moments. This story is about about the second type of couples. Let's call them Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Sometimes they looked like bitter rivals, shouting at each other all day long. But sometimes they just agreed to disagree because they both were too stubborn to change their mind.

TO BEG TO DIFFER – to show your disagreement in a polite way

Nevertheless, every quarrel usually started pretty peacefully. Just like this one:

Mrs.: “Honey… Do you see this pile of dirty dishes?”

Mr.: “Sure thing, darling”

Mrs.: “So, sweety… Aren't you going to wash it? It’s your turn”

Mr.: “With all respect, I gotta beg to differ, cutie. It’s your turn”

TO NOT SEE EYE TO EYE – to not share the same ideas or opinion with the opponent (1)

A SHOUTING MATCH – a noisy argument in which opponents shout at each other, often simultaneously (2)

Mrs.: “I suppose we don’t see eye to eye (1) on this one. But we need to come to a compromise if we don't want to turn our conversation into a shouting match (2)… again”

TO CROSS SWORDS – to disagree about something someone said or did and start arguing (1)

TO GIVE SOMEONE A PIECE OF ONE’S MIND – to tell very angrily to someone that you aren't satisfied or agree with what they said or did (2)

Mr.: “But I enjoy crossing the swords (1) with you, wifey! Your furious look gives me a lot of energy! Just feel free to give me a piece of your mind (2)!”

TO ARGUE THE TOSS – to keep arguing about unimportant things or things that can’t be changed

Mrs.: “Cut the funny stuff! Do you think we're arguing the toss or something? This is very important, you know”

TO TAKE ISSUE WITH SMTH/SOMEONE – to strongly disagree about something or with someone

Mr.: “No question, it is! That's why I’m telling you I take issue with the unfairness of our duty distribution. Why should I wash it twice a day when you wash it just once?”

TO PICK HOLES – to make an attempt to find negative aspects in something via analysis

Mrs.: “It's not like I'm picking holes here but you don't wash it properly. I have to rewash it sometimes. And in the end, I do it as much as you.”

TO SPLIT HAIRS – to focus on insignificant details (1)

TO BE AT ODDS WITH – to disagree with someone about something, be in conflict, oppose (2)

Mr.: “Oh, we’re splitting hairs (1) right now. Ok, in that case, if your dishes are cleaner than mine (not by much, I should mention), why don't you always wash them yourself? Your way of thinking is at odds (2) with logic.”

Test your knowledge of idioms about disagreement here:

Test 1

Test 2