free-for-all
[ free-fer-awl ]
/ ˈfri fərˌɔl /
noun
a fight, argument, contest, etc., open to everyone and usually without rules.
any competition or contested situation that is disordered, impulsive, or out of control: a free-for-all at the buffet table.
Informal.
any enterprise or field of endeavor in which various companies, countries, participants, etc., compete without restriction: a price-cutting free-for-all among local stores.
adjective
open to everyone.
Origin of free-for-all
An Americanism dating back to 1880–85
SYNONYMS FOR free-for-all
Words nearby free-for-all
free-cutting,
free-fall,
free-fire zone,
free-floating,
free-floating anxiety,
free-for-all,
free-form,
free-handed,
free-hearted,
free-living,
free-machining
Example sentences from the Web for free-for-all
British Dictionary definitions for free-for-all
free-for-all
noun
informal
a disorganized brawl or argument, usually involving all those present