shooting war

noun

1. open conflict between hostile nations involving direct military engagements.

Example Sentences

It’s a good start towards being able to do the same in a shooting war.

From Popular-Science

As it turned out, she was stationed in an office that was stocked with guns, ammunition and gold, and she directed the efforts of commandos in a shooting war.

From Washington Post

Just as all is fair in a shooting war, so manipulation and deception are legitimate tools in a culture war.

From The Daily Beast

But Hengly can turn this world upside down and might even get a shooting-war going before they get here.

From Project Gutenberg