go at it hammer and tongs

go at it hammer and tongs
fight someone or something hammer and tongs & fightsomeone or something tooth and nail & go at it hammer and tongs & go at it tooth and nail
Fig. to fight against someone or something energetically and with great determination. •

They fought against the robber tooth and nail.

The dogs were fighting each other hammer and tongs.

* * *
{v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To attack or fight with great strength or energy; have a bad argument. * /Bill slapped George's face and now they're going at it hammer and tongs in back of the house./ * /Helen and Mary have been arguing all day, and now they are going at it hammer and tongs again./ 2. To start or do something with much strength, energy, or enthusiasm. * /The farmer had to chop down a tree and he went at it hammer and tongs./ * /Charles had a lot of homework to do and he went at it hammer and tongs till bedtime./ Compare: IN EARNEST, WITH MIGHT AND MAIN.

Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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  • Hammer and Tongs — álbum de estudio de Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie Publicación Febrero de 1991 Grabación Berlín, Alemania (1989) Género(s) Synthpop Rock Alternativo College roc …   Wikipedia Español

  • hammer and tongs — If people are going at it hammer and tongs, they are arguing fiercely. The idiom can also be used hen people are doing something energetically …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • hammer and tongs — ► hammer and tongs informal enthusiastically or vehemently. Main Entry: ↑hammer …   English terms dictionary

  • hammer and tongs — adverb (or adjective) : with the force and violence of a blacksmith pounding iron : with all one s strength : in a rough and tumble manner the wedding party going it hammer and tongs down the road Richard Llewellyn go after a witness in the old… …   Useful english dictionary

  • hammer and tongs — adverb Date: circa 1780 with great force, vigor, or violence < went at it hammer and tongs > • hammer and tongs adjective …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Hammer and Tongs — Infobox Album | Name = Hammer and Tongs Type = Studio album Artist = Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie Released = 1991 Recorded = Genre = Synth pop College rock Pop rock Alternative rock Length = Label = Capitol Records Producer = Reviews = * Allmusic.com… …   Wikipedia

  • hammer and tongs — adv. to go at smb. hammer and tongs ( to attack smb. with great energy ) * * * to go at smb. hammer and tongs ( to attack smb. with great energy ) …   Combinatory dictionary

  • hammer and tongs — informal enthusiastically or vehemently: they fought hammer and tongs. → hammer …   English new terms dictionary

  • hammer and tongs — adverb With tools indicating seriousness of intent and capability of harm. When they had an argument they went at it hammer and tongs. Syn: hot and heavy, intensely, no holds barred …   Wiktionary

  • hammer and tongs — {adv. phr.} Violently. * /Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been at it all day, hammer and tongs./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • hammer and tongs — {adv. phr.} Violently. * /Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been at it all day, hammer and tongs./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

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