pitched battle

broadly idiomatic

Japanese Meaning

本格的な戦闘、激戦。双方が戦うことを覚悟して徹底的に行われる戦い。 / 激しい口論、激論。強い敵意が伴う対立や論争。

両軍は王国の運命を決する激戦を繰り広げるため、開けた平原で衝突した。

Sense（1）

(military) A battle which opposing forces anticipate and commit to fighting; a sustained, intense fight.

Have I not in a pitched battle heard

Loud 'larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets' clang?

Sense（2）

(idiomatic, by extension) An intense, rancorous argument or confrontation.

At every post where we changed horses and drivers, we had a pitched battle with the driver for more money than we had been told was the regular rate.

pitched battles

（ plural ）