skirmish

• Nom désignant un affrontement bref et de faible ampleur, souvent entre petits groupes de personnes, notamment dans un contexte militaire ou de compétition.

A noun referring to a minor, short-term fight or encounter, often between small groups of people, especially in a military or competitive context.

1. Minor fightB2formal

   A brief and unplanned fight between small groups, often part of a larger conflict.

   Escarmouche

   • The soldiers engaged in a skirmish near the border.
   • A small skirmish broke out between the rival gangs.
   • The battle began with a series of minor skirmishes.

   Synonymesbrushclashencounterfracasmeleerun-inscrimmagescuffletussle

2. Short argumentB2informal

   A brief, often heated, disagreement or dispute.

   prise de bec

   • They had a skirmish over who would pay the bill.
   • The meeting started with a verbal skirmish between the two managers.
   • A political skirmish erupted on social media.

   Synonymesaltercationclashdisagreementdustupquarrelrowrun-inspatsquabbletiff

• Verbe désignant le fait de participer à un affrontement bref et souvent imprévu, généralement de faible intensité, qui peut faire partie d'une bataille ou d'un conflit plus vaste ; par extension, s'engager dans une dispute ou une altercation verbale limitée.

A verb used to indicate engaging in a minor, short, or unplanned fight or conflict, often as part of a larger battle or dispute.

1. Engage in a minor fightB2formal

   To take part in a brief, unplanned, and often minor fight or conflict, especially between small groups of soldiers or opponents.

   Engager une escarmouche

   • The patrol skirmished with enemy scouts near the river.
   • The two armies skirmished briefly before retreating.
   • Rebel forces skirmished with government troops on the border.

   Synonymesbrawlclashfightgrapplescufflespartusslewrestle