go at it hammer and tongs

[go at it 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.

Tags:

Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms


	↑ Grab this Headline Animator Subscribe to Learn American Idioms day-by-day by Email

	See also »
	hammer and tongs [hammer and tongs] {adv. phr.} Violently. * /Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been at it ... A Dictionary of American Idioms hammer [hammer] See: GO AT IT HAMMER AND TONGS, UNDER THE HAMMER. A Dictionary of American Idioms hammer at [hammer at] or [hammer away at] {v.} 1. To work steadily at; keep at. * ... A Dictionary of American Idioms under the hammer [under the hammer] {adv. phr.} Up for sale at auction. * /The Brights auctioned off ... A Dictionary of American Idioms tong [tong] See: GO AT IT HAMMER AND TONGS. A Dictionary of American Idioms go under the hammer [go under the hammer] {v. phr.} To be auctioned off. * /Our old family paintings ... A Dictionary of American Idioms tooth and nail [tooth and nail] See: HAMMER AND TONGS. A Dictionary of American Idioms

	Latest news »
	RSS-feeds We have added RSS functionality to the site. At present you can subscribe to any of the following RSS feeds: search (keywords), ... Warm Wishes! Sky-net-eye.com Team Wishes You all the Best in 2009!