tooth and nail

adverb

: with every available means : all out
fight tooth and nail

Examples of tooth and nail in a Sentence

I'll fight tooth and nail to win the finals.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Both Harris and Trump have spent the last week of the campaign barnstorming in battleground states, fighting tooth and nail for every last undecided vote. Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024 Besides fighting tooth and nail over painting one another as insincere, the candidates’ focus on union support is also at the forefront of this race. Maya Marchel Hoff, USA TODAY, 3 Nov. 2024 And Republicans fought tooth and nail, saying, well, Americans should be free to do this. Stefan Becket, CBS News, 2 Oct. 2024 Opposing both processes, tooth and nail, is our titanic, essential task. Seyward Darby, Longreads, 2 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tooth and nail 

Word History

First Known Use

1550, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tooth and nail was in 1550

Dictionary Entries Near tooth and nail

Cite this Entry

“Tooth and nail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tooth%20and%20nail. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

tooth and nail

adverb
: as hard as one can
fighting tooth and nail
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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