Hammer and tongs Meaning in English
expression
HAM-er and TONGZ
HAM-uh and TONGZ
Definition
If you do something 'hammer and tongs,' you do it with great energy, force, or intensity, often referring to fierce arguments or strong efforts.
Usage & Nuances
'Hammer and tongs' is an idiomatic and somewhat old-fashioned expression used for energetic or intense action, especially arguments or competitions. Most common as: 'go at it hammer and tongs.' Not used for gentle or casual activities.
Spanish: con todas sus fuerzas - a todo dar - con intensidadPortuguese (BR): com tudo - intensamente - com força totalPortuguese (PT): com tudo - intensamente - com toda a forçaChinese (Simplified): 全力以赴 - 激烈地Chinese (Traditional): 全力以赴 - 激烈地Hindi: पूरा जोर लगाकर - पूरी ताकत सेArabic: بكل قوة - بكل شدةBengali: জোরেশোরে - প্রচণ্ড শক্তিতে - দুর্দান্ত উৎসাহেRussian: со всей силой - с ожесточением - не на шуткуJapanese: 全力で - 猛烈に - 激しくVietnamese: hết sức mình - quyết liệtKorean: 전력을 다해 - 세차게 - 맹렬하게Turkish: kıyasıya - var gücüyleUrdu: پوری شدت سے - زور و شور سےIndonesian: dengan sepenuh tenaga - habis-habisan
Example Sentences
They went hammer and tongs during the debate.
basic
The rivals fought hammer and tongs until the end.
basic
She worked hammer and tongs on her project.
basic
Jack and Sara are at it hammer and tongs again over the kitchen.
natural
Those two go hammer and tongs every time they play chess.
natural
The teams clashed hammer and tongs all season.
natural