be/go at somebody/something hammer and tongs

be at (one) hammer and tongs

To be aggressively confronting one. If the boss blames you for this printing mishap, he'll be at you hammer and tongs in no time.See also: and, hammer, tongs

be at it hammer and tongs

To do something or perform some task with tremendous fervor, determination, energy, or forcefulness. An allusion to the force with which a blacksmith strikes metal using a hammer and tongs. What started as a minor disagreement has escalated into a heated argument, and the two have been at it hammer and tongs ever since.See also: and, hammer, 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.See also: and, go, hammer, tongs

go at it hammer and tongs

To do something or perform some task with tremendous fervor, determination, energy, or forcefulness. An allusion to the force with which a blacksmith strikes metal using a hammer and tongs. What started as a minor disagreement has escalated into a heated argument, and the two have been going at it hammer and tongs ever since. I need to go at this paper hammer and tongs if I want to keep my A in the class.See also: and, go, hammer, tongs

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.See also: and, go, hammer, somebody, something, tongs