tight scratch

archaic

(archaic) A combat requiring arduous effort.

Japanese Meaning

苦労を伴う戦い / 激しい戦闘 / 必死の戦い

The two knights engaged in a tight scratch that exhausted both of them by sundown.

その二人の騎士は、日没までに両者を疲れ果てさせるほどの骨の折れる戦いに従事した。

Sense（1）

(archaic) A combat requiring arduous effort.

We had a considerable tight scratch with about an equal number of the British.

tight scratches

（ plural ）