剑拔弩张

剑拔弩张 [jiàn bá nǔ zhāng]

1. ■ confront each other with daggers; all set for a showdown; be at daggers drawn; be at loggerheads; be at swords' points; becoming dangerously explosive; daggers drawn and sabers rattling; fingers on the triggers; in a blustering and aggressive manner; ready to jump at each other's throat; stand ready to cross swords with sb.; with swords drawn and bows stretched -- ready to fight:

南北双方形成了剑拔弩张的紧张局势。 The North and South were at loggerheads.