come to blows Definition

blow²
noun

1. A forceful stroke or knock with the hand or with a weapon.

Thesaurus: stroke, hit, buffet, wallop, rap, whack, slam, swat, slap.
2. A sudden shock or misfortune.

Thesaurus: catastrophe, disaster, setback, calamity, tragedy, affliction, misfortune, reverse.

Idiom: at a blow

By a single action; suddenly.

Idiom: come to blows

To start or end up fighting.

Etymology: 15c, first as Northern English and Scots blaw.