handbags

English

Etymology

From handbag +‎ -s; in sense “fight”, clipping of handbags at dawn, handbags at ten paces (1980s).

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

Noun

handbags

1. plural of handbag
2. (UK, slang) An insignificant fight or argument.
   • 2011, Daniel Sperling, Ant McPartlin: 'Pub scuffle was just handbags', Digital Spy

     "It was just a scuffle in a pub, a bit of… handbags. Nine times out of ten, people are nice to us."

Related terms

• the handbags come out
• handbags at dawn

Interjection

handbags

1. (British, slang) Said jocularly in response to a particularly derogatory, bitchy or catty dialogue; calm down; cool it.

   Person A: Not another cheeseburger, Marcia?

   Person B: What's it to you?

   Person A: Well, you're fat enough as it is.

   Person B: You can talk!

   Person C: Ooh - handbags ladies!

Synonyms

• meow!

Anagrams

• shag band