braccio di ferro

Italian

Etymology

Literally, “arm of iron”. Compare French bras de fer.

Noun

braccio di ferro m (uncountable)

1. arm wrestling
2. (figurative, by extension) long and hard confrontation between two adversaries determined not to withdraw from their positions; confrontation, tug of war
   • 2020 September 28, Anna Lombardi, “Trump, New York Times pubblica dichiarazioni dei redditi: "10 anni senza pagare tasse". Il tycoon: "Fake news" [Trump, New York Times publishes his tax returns: "10 years without paying taxes". The tycoon: "Fake news"]”, in la Repubblica‎^[1]:

     Proprio fallimenti e mal gestione sarebbero il motivo per cui da anni il presidente rifiuta di consegnare le sue dichiarazioni dei redditi, e per evitarlo ha pure ingaggiato un braccio di ferro legale con i democratici.

     Just failures and poor management would be the reason for which the President has refused to deliver his tax returns for years, and to avoid it he has even engaged in a legal tug of war with the Democrats.