Tug of war

tug-of-war    
    1 tug-of-war   tugs-of-war  
A tug-of-war is a sports event in which two teams test their strength by pulling against each other on opposite ends of a rope.
   The sailors won at tug-of-war.
   ...the European Tug of War Championships.
N-VAR  also tug of war.  

    2 tug-of-war   tugs-of-war  
You can use tug-of-war to refer to a situation in which two people or groups both want the same thing and are fairly equally matched in their struggle to get it.
   Adolescence is  a tortuous tug-of-war between the dictates of society and the pull of one's emotions.
   ...the tug of war between government departments.
N-VAR  also tug of war.