cross swords verb3 •To fight with someone; to duel.I do not relish crossing swords with Pike's hook. — 1966 •To quarrel or argue with someone; to have a dispute with someone.You say that you do not see how you and I have crossed swords with the priests. — 1902 •(vulgar) For males, to urinate simultaneously such that the streams intersect. formscrossed swords · crossing swords · crosses swords