"Pitch": the most intense state or stage of an event [closed]

I'm after an expression. It eludes me.

I want to express something to the effect of, "At the pinnacle of the war", or "in its most intense fully-fledged state". But using the term "pitch"? "Fever pitch" isn't quite right. Do I have my neurological wires crossed, or is there actually a common expression on the tip of my tongue?

Solution 1:

Of the idioms of pitch, a pitched battle would seem to fit your question: TFD an idiom

any intense fight in which the combatants are fiercely engaged.

Originally describing place and scope of military battle, now a pitched battle can be applied to figurative battles in sports, politcs etc...

Calgary won, 2-1, in overtime at Staples Center in a pitched battle for eighth place in the Western Conference and now lead the Kings by one point. Los Angeles Times Jan. 2015

and

Hong Kong is facing another day of anti-government action after a night of pitched battles at a top university. BBC Nov. 2019