do battle

noun

1. a fight, esp. a large-scale engagement, between armed forces on land, at sea, or in the air
2. armed fighting; combat or war
3. any fight or struggle; conflict
4. Archaic a battalion

Origin: ME & OFr bataille < VL battalia < L battualia, exercises of gladiators and soldiers in fighting and fencing < battuere: see batter

transitive verb battled, battling

intransitive verb

1. to take part in a battle; fight
2. to struggle; contend