claw (redirected from clawing)

claw your way back from something

if you claw your way back from a bad situation, you succeed in improving your situation again by making a big effort. They clawed their way back from almost certain defeat to win by a single point.

See also: back, from, way

fight tooth and claw/nail

to fight very hard to achieve something. We fought tooth and nail to retain our share of the business. (often + to do something)

See also: fight, nail, tooth

get your claws into someone (informal)

to find a way of influencing or controlling someone. If the loan company gets its claws into you, you'll still be paying off this debt when you're 50.

get her claws into someone (informal)

if a woman gets her claws into a man, she manages to start a relationship with him, often because she wants to control him or get something from him. If she gets her claws into that young man she'll ruin his political career.

See also: her

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claw your way somewhere

to use all your energy and determination to achieve something. Little by little, the county is clawing its way out of the damage caused by the flood. She clawed her way to the top of the company.

See also: way