Tilt at
verb
To attack or criticize something, especially when the effort seems useless.
Political candidates often tilt at issues that are popular, even if the effort is wasted.
Often appears as...
- tilt at windmills
- tilt at issues
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To charge or rush at someone or something, often in a violent way.
The knight tilted at his opponent with his lance.
Often appears as...
- tilt at opponent
- tilt at enemy
Usage tips
Literary
verb
To attack or criticize something, especially when the effort seems useless.
Political candidates often tilt at issues that are popular, even if the effort is wasted.
Often appears as...
- tilt at windmills
- tilt at issues
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To charge or rush at someone or something, often in a violent way.
The knight tilted at his opponent with his lance.
Often appears as...
- tilt at opponent
- tilt at enemy
Usage tips
Literary
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Futile Effort
Use 'tilt at' to express an attempt that is unlikely to succeed.
He keeps tilting at a promotion, but it's out of reach.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphoric Battles
'Tilt at' evokes images of conflict where challenges may be insurmountable.
She spent the year tilting at social injustices.
Pro Tip 3/3Cervantes Reference
Originates from 'tilting at windmills' in Don Quixote, meaning to fight imaginary enemies.
Arguing with him is like tilting at windmills.
Pro Tip 1/3Futile Effort
Use 'tilt at' to express an attempt that is unlikely to succeed.
He keeps tilting at a promotion, but it's out of reach.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphoric Battles
'Tilt at' evokes images of conflict where challenges may be insurmountable.
She spent the year tilting at social injustices.
Pro Tip 3/3Cervantes Reference
Originates from 'tilting at windmills' in Don Quixote, meaning to fight imaginary enemies.
Arguing with him is like tilting at windmills.
Pro Tip 1/3Futile Effort
Use 'tilt at' to express an attempt that is unlikely to succeed.
He keeps tilting at a promotion, but it's out of reach.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphoric Battles
'Tilt at' evokes images of conflict where challenges may be insurmountable.
She spent the year tilting at social injustices.
Pro Tip 3/3Cervantes Reference
Originates from 'tilting at windmills' in Don Quixote, meaning to fight imaginary enemies.
Arguing with him is like tilting at windmills.
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