swinging

come out fighting (British, American & Australian, mainly American)

if someone comes out fighting, they defend themselves or something they believe in, in a very determined way. They were criticized from all sides but they came out fighting. The candidates came out swinging in the first few minutes of the debate.

See also: come, fight

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come out swinging

to strongly defend yourself or something you believe in. Both candidates came out swinging in the televised debate Sunday night.

See also: come