the handbags come out

Etymology
Coined 2004, circa March 2nd, by on the radio show Fox Sports World Report. From women hitting each other with handbags during a catfight; compare earlier,.

Phrase

 * 1)  A row intensifies; a dispute becomes heated.
 * 2) * 2008, Chris Charles, , 12 May 2008, “Premier League quotes of the season”:
 * "I'm ready to take the blame for all the problems of English football, if that is what he wants."
 * The handbags come out early doors when Arsenal boss responds to Ferguson's dig about the Gunners' foreign contingent.
 * 1) * 2014, Oliver Wheaton, Metro, 26 Jul 2014, “Handbags: Israel has dig at Brazil’s 7-1 World Cup defeat after diplomatic row over Gaza bombing”:
 * The handbags have come out after a diplomatic argument between Israel and Brazil got, well, very personal.