exchange / sparring
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verbal sparring
A fast, heated verbal argument or debate in which arguments and counterarguments follow one another quickly.
In der politischen Talkshow kam es zu einem hitzigen Schlagabtausch zwischen den Parteivorsitzenden.
In the political talk show, there was heated verbal sparring between the party leaders.
exchange of blows
In combat sports, a fast, mutual exchange of blows between two opponents.
Kurz vor Ende des Kampfes lieferten sich die beiden Boxer einen letzten, wilden Schlagabtausch.
Shortly before the end of the fight, the two boxers engaged in one last wild exchange of blows.
The word is made up of 'Schlag' (blow/punch) and 'Abtausch' (exchange). It literally means an 'exchange of blows', which can apply both to arguments in a debate and to punches in a fight.
Die Debatte im Fernsehen war ein einziger Schlagabtausch.
The debate on television was one long round of verbal sparring.
A very common phrase is 'sich einen Schlagabtausch liefern' (to engage in an exchange of blows / verbal sparring). Note that 'sich' is in the dative here: the people are mutually giving something to each other.
Die beiden Kandidaten lieferten sich einen heftigen Schlagabtausch.
The two candidates engaged in a fierce round of verbal sparring.
Whether a verbal or physical 'Schlagabtausch' (exchange of blows / verbal sparring) is meant can be recognized from context. Words like 'Debatte' (debate) or 'Argumente' (arguments) point to the verbal meaning, while 'Boxer' (boxer) or 'Ring' (ring) point to the sports meaning.
Der verbale Schlagabtausch im Parlament dauerte eine Stunde.
The verbal sparring in parliament lasted an hour.
In the verbal meaning, 'Schlagabtausch' (verbal sparring) is often described with adjectives such as 'hitzig' (heated), 'heftig' (fierce), 'verbal' (verbal), or 'politisch' (political) to emphasize the intensity of the debate.
Die Journalistin moderierte den hitzigen Schlagabtausch zwischen den Gästen.
The journalist moderated the heated verbal sparring between the guests.
close combat
Schlagabtausch and Nahkampf can both figuratively refer to a heated debate. A Schlagabtausch emphasizes the rapid exchange of arguments and counterarguments. Nahkampf, by contrast, highlights a particularly direct and intense confrontation, without a rapid exchange having to be the decisive feature.
Im Fernsehduell lieferten sich die Kandidaten einen schnellen Schlagabtausch über die Steuerpolitik.
During the televised debate, the candidates engaged in a rapid exchange over tax policy.
Im Fernsehduell gerieten die Kandidaten bei der Steuerpolitik in einen direkten verbalen Nahkampf.
During the televised debate, the candidates engaged in direct verbal close combat over tax policy.
