Sparring Match

SOCRATES: The thoroughbred Sophists, who know all that can be known about the mind, and argue only out of the superfluity of their wits, would have had a regular sparring-match over this, and would have knocked their arguments together finely. ❋ Unknown (2007)

She supposed that the usual verbal sparring-match was in progress, a supposition which was borne out when she entered the room. ❋ Mitchell, Gladys, 1901-1983 (1964)

The interview of the President, Mr. Seward the "bottle - holder" -- as it was facetiously said about this sparring-match for breath -- was with Alexander Stephens, Hunter, and Campbell, of ❋ Henry Llewellyn Williams (N/A)

The silence which reigned in the room was like the space cleared for a sparring-match. ❋ Maud Wilder Goodwin (N/A)

That he should now, without a word of warning (beyond the slight sparring-match during their walk, and which is one of a series), break forth with so much vehemence and apparent sense of injury, not only alarms but displeases her; whilst some faint idea of treachery on her own part toward her betrothed, in listening to such words, fills her with distress. ❋ Margaret Wolfe Hamilton (N/A)

Occasionally the couple have a brief sparring-match in the air, and mount up and up, beak to beak, to a considerable height, but rarely do they actually come to blows. ❋ John Burroughs (1879)

Consider the islands bearing the names of all the saints, bristling with forts like chestnut-burs, or echinidae, yet the police will not let a couple of Irishmen have a private sparring-match on one of them, as it is a government monopoly; all the great seaports are in a boxing attitude, and you must sail prudently between two tiers of stony knuckles before you come to feel the warmth of their breasts. ❋ Unknown (1865)

"Now the sparring-match between you and the doctor is over," said Allan, ❋ Wilkie Collins (1856)

I.B.M. required all its sparring-match contestants to sign nondisclosure agreements prohibiting them from discussing their own observations on what, precisely, Watson was good and bad at. ❋ Unknown (2010)

That's not what the public wanted, another playful sparring-match with Chairman Flim-flam. ❋ Unknown (2010)

“Now the sparring-match between you and the doctor is over,” said Allan, “I have got two words to say on my side. ❋ Unknown (2003)

Will you come and have a look at a sparring-match in yond 'brown booth, sir? " ❋ George Meredith (1868)