as in full steam ahead
with all power or resources being used
I'll fight tooth and nail to win the finals
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Recent Examples of tooth and nail
Worse still, since losing a four-point game to Edmonton that set in motion a shift from cruising atop the division to fighting tooth and nail for seeding, the Ducks’ game seems to be drifting farther away with each passing date.
—
Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 8 Apr. 2026
Trump has fought tooth and nail in court to suspend wind energy projects that are fully permitted, under contract and under construction across the eastern seaboard.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
And Philadelphia is fighting tooth and nail to stay in the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference, because that’s the final one that guarantees a playoff berth.
—Tony Jones, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
That likely means that businesses will have to fight tooth and nail for any chance at a refund — even though the government keeps meticulous records of all tariff payments.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tooth and nail
Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 8 Apr. 2026
Trump has fought tooth and nail in court to suspend wind energy projects that are fully permitted, under contract and under construction across the eastern seaboard.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
And Philadelphia is fighting tooth and nail to stay in the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference, because that’s the final one that guarantees a playoff berth.
—Tony Jones, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
That likely means that businesses will have to fight tooth and nail for any chance at a refund — even though the government keeps meticulous records of all tariff payments.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tooth and nail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tooth and nail
all out
Adverb
-
Find out how Kourtney and Kim, as well as their sisters Khloé Kardashian and Kylie Jenner and brother Rob Kardashian, have gone all out to celebrate their little ones on the way.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
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Channeling a '40s-era wartime nurse, Rodrigo went all out with her glam, enlisting the help of hairstylist Jake Gallagher and makeup artist Alexandra French to deliver a look that spoke volumes.—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tooth and nail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tooth%20and%20nail. Accessed 27 May. 2026.
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