Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

hammer and tongs

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.78 in modern English

Syllables: ham-mer and -tongs
IPA

23

Scrabble Score

14

Letters

3

Syllables

11

Unique Chars

Meaning

phrase

In a manner indicating seriousness of intent and capability of harm.

Example Sentences

"When they had an argument they went at it hammer and tongs."
"Trafton was personally challenged, in the Davenport hotel Saturday evening, and a handful of these birds from Rock Island heckled and "razzed" him into bets that he would be forced to take time before the end of the first quarter. Trafton bet till his money was gone and went into the game yesterday hammer and tongs."
"She sort of let things go, didn't get me a proper dinner when I came home from work, and if I said anything, flew out at me. And I flew back, hammer and tongs."
"The lost time had been recovered at Lichfield, but Corbett and Walls continued to put the engine to it hammer and tongs all the way to Crewe."

Etymology

Perhaps from the use of a hammer and tongs by traditional blacksmiths. May also be suggestive of the manner in which the hammer is used.

Phrases

tooth and tong

Synonyms

hot and heavy intensely no holds barred

Questions

What does hammer and tongs mean?: In a manner indicating seriousness of intent and capability of harm.
Where does hammer and tongs come from?: Perhaps from the use of a hammer and tongs by traditional blacksmiths. May also be suggestive of the manner in which the hammer is used.

How to pronounce hammer and tongs

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