Have cross words
«Hacerse de palabras»
- Meaning
This idiom means to argue with somebody else, to be annoyed with someone else.
- Origin
Orginally, since ancient times, when two people fought they resorted to their swords to fix the problem in a duel. Nowadays people do not use swords but instead they use words to fight. Words and not swords are our current weapons. Since words is a word that rhymes with swords, it also adds color and makes this idiom more vivid.
- Example
-I cannot stand my boss. He has always been too rude to me. He takes any opportunity to publicly offend me but this was the last straw!
-The last straw? What do you mean? Did you hit him or something?
-I wish I could have hit him but not. We merely had some cross words in the middle of the meeting. I could not control myself and I just spoke my mind out!