like rats in a sack
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Engaged in vicious combat or dispute.
Examples
A Labour shadow minister has accused Tory leadership candidates Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak of “fighting each other like rats in a sack” while households are worrying about how to pay bills amid a cost of living crisis.
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 “like rats in a sack” mean?
Engaged in vicious combat or dispute.
Is “like rats in a sack” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.