hammer and tongs

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English

Pronunciation

Audio (General Australian): (file)

Adverb

hammer and tongs (not comparable)

(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, : Privately printed, →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

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

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