Locked horns is a phrase used to describe a situation in which two people or groups are in a heated argument or dispute. In this crossword, the solutions VIED (4 letters), ARGUED (6 letters), and HADWORDS (8 letters) all refer to the same concept. VIED and argued both refer to verbal disputes, while hadwords implies a more physical altercation. All three words suggest that two parties are in a conflict with each other, and that the situation is intense and potentially dangerous.