duke out
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To fight, especially with fists; to knock out (someone).
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Both perfect homes are destroyed—and yet the two men remain effectively passive, locked in hang-ups while assorted protégés and allies do all the duking out and legwork.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “duke out” mean?
To fight, especially with fists; to knock out (someone).
Is “duke out” formal or informal?
duke out is generally slang.