be/go at somebody/something hammer and tongs

be at (one) hammer and tongs

To be aggressively confronting one. If the boss blames you for this printing mishap, he'll be at you hammer and tongs in no time. What started as a minor disagreement has escalated into a heated argument, and the two have been at each other hammer and tongs ever since. Why are you at me hammer and tongs about this? I had nothing to do with it!

See also: and, hammer, tongs

be at it hammer and tongs

To do something or perform some task with tremendous fervor, determination, energy, or forcefulness. An allusion to the force with which a blacksmith strikes metal using a hammer and tongs. What started as a minor disagreement has escalated into a heated argument, and the two have been at it hammer and tongs ever since. She really wants to get an A on her term paper, so she's been at it hammer and tongs. Ugh, we've been at it hammer and tongs for hours and we still haven't come up with a solution.

See also: and, hammer, tongs

go at (one) hammer and tongs

To aggressively confront one. If the boss blames you for this printing mishap, he'll go at you hammer and tongs in no time. If this minor disagreement escalates into a heated argument, those two will go at each other hammer and tongs. Hey, don't go at me hammer and tongs! I had nothing to do with this prank!

See also: and, go, hammer, tongs

go at it hammer and tongs

To do something or perform some task with tremendous fervor, determination, energy, or forcefulness. An allusion to the force with which a blacksmith strikes metal using a hammer and tongs. What started as a minor disagreement has escalated into a heated argument, and the two have been going at it hammer and tongs ever since. I need to go at this paper hammer and tongs if I want to keep my A in the class. Ugh, we've gone at it hammer and tongs for hours, and we still haven't come up with a solution.

See also: and, go, hammer, tongs

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

be/go at somebody/something ˌhammer and ˈtongs

(informal) do something, especially argue or fight, with a lot of energy and noise: The boss went at me hammer and tongs. I’ve never seen him so angry. ♢ The couple in the flat upstairs are always at it hammer and tongs.This idiom refers to the loud noise made by a blacksmith at work when he is making horseshoes. He uses a pair of tongs to hold the hot iron and a hammer to beat the iron into the shape of the shoe.

See also: and, go, hammer, somebody, something, tongs

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017