turf war
11
6.5
- noun
- /tɜrf wɔr/
- Informal
:
guerra territorial
- Maybe it was part of the turf war.
- drug turf war
- gang turf wars
- a bloody turf war
Because I don't believe in the thing that it's a turf war between cartels, you know?
- Because I don't believe in the thing that it's a turf war between cartels, you know?
- Well, also people don't want to talk about the real turf war that's going on too, and that is between Door Dashers and the homeless.
- People don't want to talk about the the real turf war that's going on, Tim, and that is between Door Dashers and the homeless, bro.
Examples
-
I can't afford another turf war.
-
Conflicts also emerge simply because of turf wars.
Academic text (2000) -
Well, if it's a turf war, just let them work it out.
-
And now all you care about is some turf war?
-
Yeah, or one trying to start a turf war.
-
Great time for a turf war.
-
The shooting was the result of an ongoing turf war.
-
Turf wars get people killed.
-
Such situations often lead to turf wars, and this was no exception.
Academic text (2000) -
The shooting was the result of an ongoing turf war between rival gangs.
Synonyms
∞
1.4
A violent fight between armed groups in a war
675
2.4
A strong argument between people or groups, often public
514
2.7
A violent fight between armed groups in a war
105
3.2
A short conflict between people or groups
102
2.8
Competition between people or groups who try to be more successful for the same goal
93
4.2
A long bitter quarrel between two people, families, or groups
82
5.0
Groups or companies compete strongly to gain power
21
5.7
A competition between people for something like a prize or job
15
3.2
A hard struggle between two groups for power or control
7
8.2
A long violent conflict between families or groups who kill for revenge
4
5.1
A violent fight between rival criminal groups
3
3.7
A strong struggle between people to get the same job or prize
A large violent conflict between powerful groups
Antonyms
How Intense
∞
1.0
- Informal
11
6.5
∞
1.0
105
3.2
384
3.0
268
1.6
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a struggle over control of an area' is directly derivable from combining 'turf' (territory or domain) with 'war' (conflict). This noun‑noun composition is a transparent, predictable metaphorical extension common across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
Turf war may come from the image of animals or gangs fighting over a small patch of land called the turf, with war meaning a battle. So the phrase now means a fight between groups to get 'control' of a place or area.