a battle of wills
A competition in which opposing sides are unrelenting in their attempts to achieve a particular outcome. Each refusing to compromise, the husband and wife entered into a battle of wills as they attempted to negotiate their divorce settlement.
a battle of wills
If an argument or conflict is a battle of wills, the person with the strongest beliefs or personality will win. It was a battle of wills, and Grace's was the stronger. All that was left was a mutual struggle, a battle of wills, which became totally exhausting.
a battle of ˈwills
a competition, an argument or a struggle where each side is very determined to win: Annie and Phil were engaged in a silent battle of wills, each refusing to leave.