handbags at dawn

handbags at dawn
 n.— «Miss H. continued to be verbally abusive and to prevent any flared tempers from spilling over in the restaurant I asked her to step outside to discuss the matter further. On my part this was a risky maneuver, as If it were to deteriorate into “handbags at dawn,” I would be unprepared.» —“Bad Boys, Bad Boys, Whatcha gonna do?” The Special Constable’s Blog (U.K.) Feb. 17, 2005. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)

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