つばぜり合あい

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb

locking swords and pushing; tsuba-zeriai (sword fight)

Literal term from swordsmanship: when two opponents lock their sword guards (tsuba) and push against each other. Used as a noun or with する to describe the action.

• 時じ代だい劇げきで、侍さむらいがつばぜり合あいを演えんじるシーンが好すきだ。

  I like scenes in period dramas where samurai perform tsuba-zeriai.

• 両りょう者しゃは刀かたなを交まじえ、つばぜり合あいになった。

  The two crossed swords and ended up in a tsuba-zeriai.

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

close contest; neck-and-neck battle; fierce competition

Figurative extension of the sword-fighting term. Describes any intense, evenly matched competition where opponents are locked in a struggle. Often used in sports, business, or debates.

• 選せん挙きょ戦せんは最さい後ごまでつばぜり合あいが続つづいた。

  The election campaign remained a neck-and-neck battle until the very end.

• 両りょうチームのつばぜり合あいは延えん長ちょう戦せんにもつれ込こんだ。

  The fierce competition between the two teams went into extra innings.