Wiktionary
n. 1 fighting to the death; a physical fight between persons or groups wherein each side is attempting to kill the other. 2 By extension, any very spirited competition between persons or groups.
Usage examples of "mortal combat".
Was this the summons to mortal combat they had been brought here to await?
Nearly eight million Zentraedi eagerly locked in mortal combat with over twenty million Invid.
Tolo saw pirates draped with stolen strands of pearls and golden chains and gem-studded bracelets engaged in mortal combat with soldiers and knights of the Two Thrones.
As soon as this answer was received, Troussel sent a challenge to the Constable, demanding reparation for the injury he had done his honour, by refusing his bond, and offering a mortal combat, to be fought three strokes with the lance, three with the sword, and three with the dagger.
She looked as if she were prepared to go into mortal combat over the fact that he had the right to feel confused and upset over his parents' move.
Face to Face it was called, and it depicted two warriors in mortal combat.
On a barren landscape of red hills and sand perhaps a dozen metal creations were locked in mortal combat.
They knew-didn't just think, but knew-they were locked in mortal combat with real enemies, and Bahzell and Brandark rampaged through them like dire cats.
Head still down, his band in tow, the junior Kessentai without so much as a tenar to his name began to shuffle gingerly toward where his clan was still locked in mortal combat with the threshkreen of this place.
They entered the workroom, and Aiken exclaimed in surprise at the sight of huge sheets of paper hanging from the walls and ceiling, all elaborately painted with vivid, swirling figures locked in mortal combat.