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
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
Jon ascends to the status of Lord Commander, uniting disparate forces against the White Walkers, while Sansa fights tooth and nail to become the tough Queen in the North.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Feb. 2026
In a separate bad-faith case that is still ongoing, the insurance department has fought tooth and nail to prevent an investigation of the state’s largest writer of homeowners insurance.
—J.c. Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 22 Jan. 2026
Despite the fact that warning labels on cigarettes have saved millions of lives, the tobacco industry fought tooth and nail against them to keep consumers in the dark.
—Alan K. Chen, The Conversation, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tooth and nail
Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
Jon ascends to the status of Lord Commander, uniting disparate forces against the White Walkers, while Sansa fights tooth and nail to become the tough Queen in the North.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Feb. 2026
In a separate bad-faith case that is still ongoing, the insurance department has fought tooth and nail to prevent an investigation of the state’s largest writer of homeowners insurance.
—J.c. Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 22 Jan. 2026
Despite the fact that warning labels on cigarettes have saved millions of lives, the tobacco industry fought tooth and nail against them to keep consumers in the dark.
—Alan K. Chen, The Conversation, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tooth and nail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tooth and nail
all out
Adverb
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December is also a special time of year in Naples because the city goes all out for the holidays.—
Laura Itzkowitz,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Apr. 2026
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Weekend 2 of Coachella 2026 also happened to be PinkPantheress’ birthday, and the girl went all out.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tooth and nail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tooth%20and%20nail. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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