tooth (redirected from sunk teeth into)

An eye for an eye (and a tooth for a tooth).

something that you say which means if someone does something wrong, they should be punished by having the same thing done to them. If you murder someone you deserve to die. An eye for an eye.

See also: eye

be long in the tooth (humorous)

to be too old. I'd have thought she was a bit long in the tooth to be starring as the romantic heroine.

See also: long

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: claw, fight, nail

a sweet tooth

if you have a sweet tooth, you like eating food with sugar in it. It's things like chocolate and cake that I can't resist - I've got a real sweet tooth.

See also: sweet

with a fine-tooth comb

if you examine something with a fine-tooth comb, you examine every part of it very carefully. I'd advise you to examine your insurance policy with a fine-tooth comb to make sure you're covered if you take your car abroad.

See also: comb

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fight (someone/something) tooth and nail

to use a lot of effort to oppose someone or achieve something. We fought tooth and nail to keep our share of the business. They vowed to fight the new legislation tooth and nail.

See also: fight, nail

go over something with a fine-tooth comb

to examine every part of something very carefully. My accountant is going over my tax return with a fine-tooth comb.

Usage notes: also used in the form fine-toothed comb

See also: comb, over

long in the tooth

to be very old. Don't you think she's a bit long in the tooth to be a romantic heroine?

Etymology: based on the idea that teeth grow longer in some animals as they get older

See also: long