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.
While some teams know their fate, some will still fight tooth and nail for a spot in their respective conferences. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025 Lawmakers are emerging from constituent events bruised and battered from voter demands to fight Republicans tooth and nail. Ramsey Touchberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 23 Mar. 2025 Fighting tooth and nail to stop depositions in the ongoing arbitration between the uberagency and its former employees over vested equity, Range and its Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher lawyers were dealt a blow this week by a LA Superior Court judge, again. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2025 As businesses today fight tooth and nail to stay relevant, the search for an edge seems to be the holy grail. Abdur Rehman, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tooth and nail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tooth%20and%20nail. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

tooth and nail

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