'Tis a hard battle where none escapes.
'Tis a hard battle where none escapes.
Meaning in plain English
A conflict that leaves no one unharmed has a terrible cost even if someone claims victory. The saying directs attention to what everyone loses when a contest becomes destructive.
Example
Two clubs stop trading public accusations and agree a process for settling their shared scheduling dispute.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The battle is judged by its consequences for all those involved rather than by a triumphant account from one side. If nobody escapes, victory itself may offer little comfort. Read beyond warfare, the proverb can question a dispute that damages every relationship or consumes the resources needed afterward. The comparison does not mean that every disagreement should be avoided or that a necessary defense is wrong. It asks whether the way a conflict is being conducted leaves room for a useful outcome. A practical response considers what can be protected and whether the central issue can be addressed with less damage.
When to use it
Use it to examine the wider costs of a destructive contest.
Keep in mind
Some disagreements must be addressed; reducing harm is not the same as ignoring them.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-04. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Source
- A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases
Entry 498 · Escapes
Read the original context ↗ - Attribution confidence
- traditional · historical anthology
Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
- Undated
No reliable date supplied by the collection. - Rights & edition
- Public domain (United States)
Translations and rights may differ elsewhere.
Provenance and licences ↗