Refers to a situation that escalates into a quarrel or fight, often implying a public or troublesome dispute. Commonly used in phrases like 喧嘩沙汰になる (to turn into a quarrel).
A small argument turned into a fight.
I ended up causing a brawl at the drinking party.
喧嘩 is a general term for a quarrel or fight, while 喧嘩沙汰 emphasizes the situation or incident aspect, often implying it has become a public or serious matter.
沙汰 originally means 'affair' or 'incident', and in compounds like 喧嘩沙汰 it adds the nuance of a troublesome or official matter.
Compound of 喧嘩 (quarrel) and 沙汰 (affair, incident). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination is conventionally associated with the meaning of a quarrel that becomes a notable incident.