spat
A small and quick argument between people.
A short and usually unimportant argument or disagreement, often between people who know each other well.
'Spat' is the past tense of 'spit', meaning you pushed saliva out of your mouth.
Past tense and past participle of 'spit', meaning to force saliva out of the mouth.
A very young oyster or shellfish that has just attached to something in the water.
A larval or juvenile stage of an oyster or similar bivalve mollusk that has attached to a surface.
A small cover worn over shoes to protect them or for fashion, used in the past.
A short garment worn over the instep and ankle, usually fastened under the shoe, historically used for protection or style.
- Base: spat
- Plural: spat, spats
have a spat with someone
1Engage in a petty quarrel with someone
To have a short and small argument with another person.
- I had a spat with my coworker this morning.
- She often has spats with her sister over small things.
lover's spat
1A small quarrel between lovers
A short, unimportant argument between people in a romantic relationship.
- They had a lover's spat but made up quickly.
- A lover's spat is nothing to worry about if you communicate.