as in full steam ahead
with all power or resources being used
I'll fight tooth and nail to win the finals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of tooth and nail
Fast forward to Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals, which was tied 1-1, and a Steph Curry-less Golden State team was fighting tooth and nail to claim a contest to re-claim the series lead and buy time for Curry to get healthy.
—
Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 17 May 2025
But with a twist so big — Sarah being the killer of her adulterous husband Adam’s mistress, Kelly Summers, and the one who set him up for the murder while simultaneously defending him tooth and nail in court — where was Rose to go after that?
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 29 Apr. 2025
Decrepit office buildings and flophouse hotels have been remade into pricey lofts and townhouses, the coolest address being where prizefighters Depp and Heard went at it tooth and nail, an art deco masterpiece called the Eastern Guardian Building, with its eerie clock tower and greenish glow.
—David Weiss, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Liberals are furious with that advice, saying the real backlash will occur if Democrats don’t fight tooth and nail against mass deportations, many of them taking place without any semblance of judicial screening.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tooth and nail
Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 17 May 2025
But with a twist so big — Sarah being the killer of her adulterous husband Adam’s mistress, Kelly Summers, and the one who set him up for the murder while simultaneously defending him tooth and nail in court — where was Rose to go after that?
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 29 Apr. 2025
Decrepit office buildings and flophouse hotels have been remade into pricey lofts and townhouses, the coolest address being where prizefighters Depp and Heard went at it tooth and nail, an art deco masterpiece called the Eastern Guardian Building, with its eerie clock tower and greenish glow.
—David Weiss, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Liberals are furious with that advice, saying the real backlash will occur if Democrats don’t fight tooth and nail against mass deportations, many of them taking place without any semblance of judicial screening.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tooth and nail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tooth and nail
all out
Adverb
-
The rookie fifth-round pick got the start with Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel all out of the lineup, leaving Sanders and Tyler Huntley as the only two available QBs.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Aug. 2025
-
The dream excursion concluded with a delightful banquet dinner on the beach with my fellow guests and the actors, now all out of character.—
Liam Quinn,
People.com,
9 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tooth and nail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tooth%20and%20nail. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share