go at (one) hammer and tongs
(redirected from go at somebody hammer and 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.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 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.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017