three-cornered battle; three-way fight
Refers to a conflict or competition involving three parties, often with shifting alliances. The phrase evokes the mitsudomoe symbol (three comma-like shapes in a circle).
See also: 三つ巴戦
The election turned into a three-way race.
A three-cornered battle over market share continues.
Standard kanji spelling using 巴.
Kana-mixed spelling; どもえ is sometimes written in kana for readability.
From 三つ巴 (mitsudomoe, a three-comma symbol) + の + 争い (fight). The mitsudomoe design suggests three forces intertwined in a circular struggle.