break one's lance

Verb

break one's lance (third-person singular simple present breaks one's lance, present participle breaking one's lance, simple past broke one's lance, past participle broken one's lance)

1. (idiomatic) To engage in an honorable fight.
   • Then you have Sweden, too, burning with desire to break a lance with Russia on the question of Polish independence.1848 Feb. 8th, 23rd, March 1st, 17th, House of Commons, The Debates on motion for papers, with a view to the impeachment of the right hon. Henry J. Temple Viscount Palmerston, page 14
   • Inasmuch as our correspondent has such a poor opinion of the capacity of men to write understandingly and impartially upon feminine topics, we say to her and everybody else, "The lists are open, ladies—hissez alia!" We will be but as the heralds at the tourney, to sound the trumpets and preserve...1870, The editors, The Statesman, volume 1