handbags at ten paces

n

British

a scene of provocation, a confrontation and/or feigned violence. These sarcastic phrases are typically used by football supporters to describe a scene in which players make a show of menacing or jos-tling each other. The reference is to a supposed brawl between middle-aged women.

► A handbag situation - when players square up and scuffle (supermarket style) but the ball is too far away for them to kick each other...' (Evening Standard, 26 May 1994)