IdiomThe AbsurdEnglish

hammer and tongs

Meaning: With great vigor and force; in a determined and vigorous manner.

Example: “The two lawyers went at it hammer and tongs for an hour.”

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Origin: The phrase evokes the image of a blacksmith working intensely with hammer and tongs, striking metal with full effort and skill.

More idioms — The Absurd

  • rhyme or reason Any logical sense or reasonable explanation.
  • blow up in one's face To fail spectacularly or cause a plan to collapse in an embarrassing way.
  • tilt at windmills To waste effort fighting against imaginary enemies or pursuing hopeless causes.
  • one is a poet and doesn't know it Someone has unintentionally created a rhyme or spoken in verse without realizing it.
  • train wreck A spectacular, inevitable disaster that is witnessed by many people.
  • break the bank To win or spend so much money that a casino or financial institution loses its entire ava…

More English idioms

  • in black and white Stated explicitly and in writing; absolutely clear and unambiguous.
  • strings attached Hidden conditions or requirements that make something less advantageous than it first app…
  • drop in the bucket A contribution or action so small it is negligible compared to a massive problem.
  • bed of roses A situation or life that is entirely easy, comfortable, and free from hardship.
  • made in the shade Assured of comfort, success, or an effortless, favorable position.
  • back up the truck To make a large purchase by taking advantage of a favorable price.

Explore another collection: Untranslatable Words

Words that capture a feeling or idea English needs a whole sentence for.

  • Prozvonit To call someone's phone and hang up after one ring, so they call you back and you save th…
  • Boketto Staring off into the distance with your mind pleasantly empty, thinking of nothing at all.
  • Pålegg Anything you might put on a slice of bread — cheese, ham, jam, egg, whatever — gathered u…

Browse all untranslatable words →

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