HIGHER SCOREコミュのFrom newspaper 1.

Hello, Christien.

I was reading newspaper and I couldn’t understand this sentence;
“As two of Canada’s largest retailers – one a supermarket chain, the other a discount department store – prepare to duke it out on each other’s turf,
more than the price of lettuce will be at stake.”

Especially, I couldn’t understand this part;
“prepare to duke it out on each other’s turf”
I thought the sentence follow the rule “prepare to do sth”
but when I checked “duke”, “duke” was only noun in my dictionary.
Can “Duke” be verb like “google”?
I googled “duke it out on".
There were a lot of examples of “duke it out in/for + place”.
I read some articles but I still couldn’t understand "duke it out".

I am not sure one more part; “more than the price of lettuce will be at stake.”I guess this part indicate two of Canada’s largest retailers discount their
products too much. So, their product will be the bottom of price.
How is my guess?

Could you help me to understand this sentence?

Thank you.

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[1] mixiユーザー 10月13日 02:33

Hi Sachiko

Thank you for your interesting question.

When two people or two companies "duke it out", they fight each other about something. So, the newspaper article suggests that the two retailers are preparing to battle one another to become the biggest retailer in Canada. We sometimes also say "put up your dukes" which means raise your fists in order to fight somebody ('dukes' means 'fists' in this case). Both of these examples are used in American English but not British English.

The article also says "on each other's turf". This means that the two companies are now selling the same kinds of goods as each other. For example, if my school starts teaching ESL classes, I will be on other schools' turf.

Finally, you asked about "more than ... at stake". This means that something very important will be won or lost in the battle when the two retailers 'duke it out'.

For example, imagine that I bet my friend $1 that team X will win a soccer game. If team X loses, I will have to pay $1, but $1 is not much money so the result of the bet is not very important. However, if I bet $1 and promise to wear a dress for one day if team X loses, I will lose money AND be very embarrassed, so more than money is at stake.

I hope this makes sense.

Good luck!

Christien

[2] mixiユーザー 10月13日 14:28

Hello, Christien.

Thank you for answering my question.

Oh, no! My guess was completely wrong!!
It means if I didn't ask the question, I might misunderstand forever!

I could imgine two of Canada’s largest retailers' situation
after I read your explanation.

It is getting cold outside.
You don't catch a cold.
Take care!
Sachiko.

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