German word

Schlagabtausch

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʃlaːkˌaptaʊ̯ʃ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounverbal sparring

Example

Viele Zuschauer verfolgten den Schlagabtausch im Fernsehen.

Many viewers watched the verbal sparring on television.

Illustration for Schlagabtausch (verbal sparring)

More examples

Bei der Diskussion kam es zu einem hitzigen Schlagabtausch zwischen den Experten.

During the discussion, there was a heated exchange between the experts.

Core concept

Two opponents trade sharp verbal blows in a brief, fast exchange.

Common phrases

  • verbaler Schlagabtausch

    verbal sparring

  • hitziger Schlagabtausch

    heated exchange

  • öffentlicher Schlagabtausch

    public verbal exchange

Similar words

Wortgefecht: A rapid exchange of sharp verbal retorts.
Diskussion: A calm exchange of views and information to build understanding.
Debatte: A formal argument presenting clear positions for and against an issue.
Streit: A heated argument marked by emotional mutual accusations.

Definition in German

Heftiger, kurzer Wortwechsel mit scharfen Erwiderungen zwischen Personen.

Word origin

The compound combines German Schlag, meaning "blow," with Austausch, meaning "exchange," extending a physical exchange of blows to pointed speech.

Usage tips

  • Schlagabtausch is a masculine noun, so its basic form is der Schlagabtausch and its plural is Schlagabtausche.

Other meanings

  • exchange of blowsnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word