Crossword Genius

Turf war? (7,6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pitched battle

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'turf war?' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'turf war?' is the wordplay.
'turf' becomes 'pitched' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'war?' becomes 'battle' (I've seen this before).
'pitched'+'battle'='PITCHED BATTLE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pitched battle that I've seen before include "Culloden (1746), for example" , "Prearranged skirmish" , "Violent confrontation" , "Prearranged military engagement" , "Furious combat" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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