be at it hammer and 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

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

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