arm-wrestle: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, colloquial
Quick answer
What does “arm-wrestle” mean?
A contest in which two people grip each other's hands with elbows on a table and attempt to force the opponent's arm down.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A contest in which two people grip each other's hands with elbows on a table and attempt to force the opponent's arm down.
Any direct, one-on-one struggle for power, influence, or control, often implying a test of strength, will, or endurance rather than a purely physical contest.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage and spelling are identical. The noun is typically hyphenated (arm-wrestle) in both, though 'arm wrestling' (two words, as the activity) is more common for the gerund/nominal form. Verb form 'to arm-wrestle' is standard in both.
Connotations
Identical connotations: informal, physical or metaphorical struggle.
Frequency
Slightly more common in American media as a metaphor (e.g., political arm-wrestling), but the difference is negligible.
Grammar
How to Use “arm-wrestle” in a Sentence
[Subject] arm-wrestled [Object] (e.g., He arm-wrestled his brother).[Subject] had an arm-wrestle with [Object].An arm-wrestle between [Party A] and [Party B].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “arm-wrestle” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He offered to arm-wrestle for the last pint.
- The two ministers are still arm-wrestling over the details.
American English
- I'll arm-wrestle you for it.
- The companies arm-wrestled for months before reaching a deal.
adverb
British English
- This is not typically used as an adverb.
American English
- This is not typically used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- It was an arm-wrestle match to decide the champion.
- An arm-wrestle competition was held at the fair.
American English
- He's the arm-wrestle champion of the state.
- They set up an arm-wrestle tournament.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically for negotiations or boardroom conflicts (e.g., 'The merger involved a lengthy legal arm-wrestle').
Academic
Rare in formal academic writing; may appear in political science or sociology as a metaphor for power dynamics.
Everyday
Common for describing a literal game or a minor dispute (e.g., 'The kids had an arm-wrestle to decide who gets the last biscuit').
Technical
Specific to sports science or biomechanics when analysing the activity.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “arm-wrestle”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “arm-wrestle”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “arm-wrestle”
- Misspelling as 'armwrestle' (one word) or 'arm wrestle' (for the verb). Using it in overly formal contexts. Confusing with 'wrestling' which involves the whole body.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a noun, it is typically hyphenated: 'arm-wrestle'. The activity is often called 'arm wrestling'. The verb is 'to arm-wrestle' (hyphenated).
It is primarily informal. In formal contexts, use metaphors like 'power struggle', 'contest of wills', or 'direct competition' instead.
'Wrestle' is a general term for grappling combat, often involving the whole body. 'Arm-wrestle' is a specific, rule-bound contest conducted seated, focusing only on forcing the opponent's arm down.
Yes, professional arm wrestling (or armwrestling) is an organized sport with leagues, championships, and specific rules, though the casual term 'arm-wrestle' remains common.
A contest in which two people grip each other's hands with elbows on a table and attempt to force the opponent's arm down.
Arm-wrestle: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɑːm ˌres.l̩/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɑːrm ˌres.l̩/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “An arm-wrestle over the budget.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'ARM' as the tool and 'WRESTLE' as the action. You WRESTLE with your ARMs.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONFLICT IS PHYSICAL COMBAT / NEGOTIATION IS A CONTEST OF STRENGTH.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'arm-wrestle' LEAST appropriate?