bandy words

USAGE SUMMARY

It is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when two or more people are engaged in a heated or argumentative conversation, and they are exchanging harsh or sharp words with each other. Example: The two politicians were seen bandying words during the debate, each trying to prove their point and discredit the other's argument.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Calasso likes to bandy words with his subjects.

The Guardian - Books

If you are a science writer, you occasionally have to bandy words that no ordinary human ever uses, like phenotype, mitochondrion, cosmic inflation, Gaussian distribution and isostasy.

The Guardian

By the third day, Cin and Josh begin to bandy words like passion and intimacy, and they squint and grimace with a little more conviction.

The New York Times

Later that year, at a congressional subcommittee hearing, Representative Stewart McKinney summed up the lesson of the rescue effort: "Let us not bandy words.

The New Yorker

And Mr. Cain's decision to bandy words rather than answer questions underscored how politicians have learned to ignore the mainstream media and use entertainment shows to direct their message.

The New York Times

Mr. Stewart made other jokes on Wednesday, but it was actually more disconcerting to watch Mr. Stewart apply the standard liberal critique to Mr. Obama than it was to see the president of the United States bandy words with the host of a late-night comedy show.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The format put the viewer in the somewhat godly position of psychiatric supervisor, observing as doctor and patient bandied words across layers of discontent and self-delusion.

The New York Times - Arts

A Scandinavian counterpart is the Lokasenna ("Flyting of Loki"), a poem in the Poetic (Elder) Edda in which the trickster-god Loki bandies words with the other gods, taunting them with coarse jests.

Britannica

Overexcitable publishers like to bandy around words such as "explosive" and "shocking" when trying to flog their books, even though generally you could substitute them for ones such as "mildly interesting".

The Guardian - Books

If you're a web savvy producer who can bandy about words such as "project life-cycle management" and "e-learning systems" with relish then you might be in with a chance.

The Guardian

The 23-year-old, who comes from a prominent and wealthy Aleppo family with multiple business interests, likes to bandy about words such as "marketing" and "branding," even when speaking of war.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Incorporate this phrase to add a literary or slightly old-fashioned flair to your descriptions of arguments or debates.

Common error

Do not use "bandy words" when you mean to say someone is spreading a rumor or discussing an idea casually. For spreading ideas, use "bandy about". "Bandy words" specifically refers to a direct verbal interaction or argument between people.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bandy words" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. According to Ludwig, it typically serves as the predicate of a sentence to describe a specific type of verbal interaction where remarks are exchanged reciprocally, often with an argumentative or competitive edge.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Literature & Arts

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "bandy words" is a precise and evocative idiom used to describe the act of arguing or exchanging remarks in a back-and-forth manner. Ludwig data confirms that it is most effective in journalistic and literary contexts, where it provides a more nuanced alternative to simple verbs like "argue" or "talk". While it is grammatically straightforward, its strength lies in its ability to paint a picture of a verbal duel. Writers should be careful to distinguish it from the related phrase "bandy about", which refers to the casual circulation of ideas rather than a direct exchange of words.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exchange words

More neutral and less necessarily argumentative than the query.

lock horns

Focuses on the confrontational nature of the conflict rather than just the verbal exchange.

cross swords

Adds a metaphorical layer of combat or competition to the verbal disagreement.

trade barbs

Specific to exchanging insults or sharp, stinging remarks.

quibble

Implies arguing over trivial or minor details rather than a broad exchange.

spar

Suggests a lighter or more practice-like verbal disagreement, often between experts.

bicker

Suggests a more petty, repetitive and less sophisticated style of arguing.

wrangle

Implies a long, complicated and often noisy dispute.

altercate

A significantly more formal and rare clinical term for having a public dispute.

dispute

A more general term for questioning the truth or validity of something.

FAQs

How do I use "bandy words" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an argument, such as: "The two rivals refused to "bandy words" in public, preferring to settle their differences in private."

What is the origin of the phrase "bandy words"?

It comes from the game of bandy (an early form of hockey), where a ball is hit back and forth. Similarly, to "bandy words" is to toss remarks back and forth between people.

Is "bandy words" formal or informal?

It is generally considered neutral to slightly literary. It is common in high-quality journalism and literature but might sound overly formal in very casual, everyday speech compared to "argue".

Can I say "bandying words" instead?

Yes, you can conjugate the verb as needed. For example, Ludwig AI shows examples where journalists write about politicians "bandying words" during heated sessions.