hammer and tongs

English

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

Adverb

hammer and tongs (not comparable)

1. (idiomatic) In a manner indicating seriousness of intent and capability of harm.

   When they had an argument they went at it hammer and tongs.

   • 1928, D[avid] H[erbert] Lawrence, chapter XIV, in Lady Chatterley’s Lover, authorized British edition, London: Martin Secker […], published February 1932 (May 1932 printing), →OCLC:

     She sort of let things go, didn't get me a proper dinner when I came home from work, and if I said anything, flew out at me. And I flew back, hammer and tongs.

Synonyms

• hot and heavy
• intensely
• no holds barred

Translations

With tools indicating seriousness of intent and capability of harm

• Icelandic: (go at something hammer and tongs) ganga í af lífs og sálar kröftum, (go at something hammer and tongs) leggja sig allan fram