You might be surprised to hear that this phrase had its origin on the football pitch! The handbags at ten paces and handbags at dawn version of "Pistols at Dawn" began to be used in the 1980s to describe confrontations between players in football matches. Professional footballers know they will be sent off if they hit another player, so emotion has to be expressed via posturing, facial grimacing and verbal abuse. The implication carried by the phrases was that, although a great deal of preamble to violence was shown, the actual confrontations were in the nature of 'I'll scratch you eyes out' cat-fights. These were typified by the many high-profile matches between Manchester United and Arsenal in the years around the turn of the millennium. These matches were usually highly charged as they often had a decisive effect on the outcome of the Premiership championship. This, coupled with the fact that many of the players had reputations for violent play but didn't want to risk getting sent ...more

A weak but theatrical confrontation, harmless altercation; a verbal spat resembling a duel; also called handbags at dawn or handbag situation

A confrontation which is histrionic but which doesn't involve physical violence. Such confrontations are also called handbag situations