IdiomBody & Senses
English
Englishfight tooth and nail
Meaning: To fight fiercely; to fight with everything you have.
Example: “The residents fought tooth and nail to save the old park.”
Equivalents in other languages
French: Se défendre bec et ongles Literally: To defend oneself with beak and nails
Origin: Found in English from the 16th century, as "with tooth and nail." It pictures fighting like an animal, or a desperate person, with teeth and nails (claws) when no other weapons are left.
More English idioms
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- give one's right arm to do something To want something very much.
- give someone the shirt off one's back To give (figuratively) someone all one's possessions; to be very generous.
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- green around the gills Sick to one's stomach; nauseated.
- green thumb Natural ability to grow plants.
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