vengeance

with a vengeance

Determinedly or passionately, perhaps fueled by anger. After my girlfriend dumped me, I started working out with a vengeance. We're going to have to clean with a vengeance to get the house ready in time.

See also: vengeance

do something with a vengeance

Fig. to do something with vigor; to do something energetically as if one were angry. Bob is building that fence with a vengeance. Mary is really weeding her garden with a vengeance.

See also: vengeance

flame with anger

 and flame with resentment; flame with lust; flame with vengeance

Fig. [for someone's eyes] to "blaze" or seem to communicate a particular quality or excitement, usually a negative feeling. His eyes flamed with resentment when he heard Sally's good news. Her eyes flamed with hatred.

See also: anger, flame

with a vengeance

Cliché with determination and eagerness. The angry soldier attacked the enemy with a vengeance. Bill ate all his dinner and gobbled up his dessert with a vengeance.

See also: vengeance

wreak vengeance (up)on someone or something

Cliché to seek and get revenge on someone by harming someone or something. The gangster wreaked his vengeance by destroying his rival's house. The general wanted to wreak vengeance on the opposing army for their recent successful attack.

See also: on, vengeance, wreak

with a vengeance

With great violence or energy; also, to an extreme degree. For example, The cottage was filthy and Ruth began cleaning with a vengeance, or December has turned cold with a vengeance. This expression was first recorded in 1533. Also see with a will.

See also: vengeance

with a vengeance

in a higher degree than was expected or desired; in the fullest sense.

See also: vengeance

do something with a ˈvengeance

(informal) do something with great energy or force: After the holidays I need to start working with a vengeance. ♢ The rain came down with a vengeance.

See also: something, vengeance

with a vengeance

1. With great violence or force.

2. To an extreme degree: December has turned cold with a vengeance.

See also: vengeance