handbag

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
handbag /ˈhandbaɡ/ Brit.

▶noun

• 1 a small bag used by a woman to carry everyday personal items.

• 2 (handbags) humorous a confrontation that does not lead to serious fighting, especially among soccer players. [from the idea of women fighting with their handbags.]

▶verb (handbags, handbagging, handbagged) humorous (of a woman) verbally attack (someone) in a forceful manner. [with ref. to Margaret Thatcher's ministerial style in cabinet meetings.]