hammer and tongs

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

hammer and tongs (not comparable)

1. (idiomatic) In a manner indicating seriousness of intent and capability of harm.

   When they had an argument they went at it hammer and tongs.

   • 1928, D[avid] H[erbert] Lawrence, chapter XIV, in Lady Chatterley’s Lover, [Germany?]: Privately printed, →OCLC:

     She sort of let things go, didn't get me a proper dinner when I came home from work, and if I said anything, flew out at me. And I flew back, hammer and tongs.

• hot and heavy
• intensely
• no holds barred