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
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
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro will likely resist tooth and nail.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 14 Dec. 2025
In the trailer for The Drama, a new movie from A24, Emma and Charlie (Zendaya and Robert Pattinson) meet with their wedding photographer, who’s fighting tooth and nail to try to get some chemistry between a couple about to get married.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2025
And suffice to say, Girona will be desperately fighting tooth and nail to bag a result of its own, with the Catalans currently perched on the edge of the relegation zone ahead of hosting Real.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tooth and nail
Alan K. Chen, The Conversation, 18 Dec. 2025
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro will likely resist tooth and nail.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 14 Dec. 2025
In the trailer for The Drama, a new movie from A24, Emma and Charlie (Zendaya and Robert Pattinson) meet with their wedding photographer, who’s fighting tooth and nail to try to get some chemistry between a couple about to get married.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2025
And suffice to say, Girona will be desperately fighting tooth and nail to bag a result of its own, with the Catalans currently perched on the edge of the relegation zone ahead of hosting Real.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tooth and nail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tooth and nail
all out
Adverb
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Wembanyama and Edwards played tirelessly on both ends and inspired others, like former Spur Kawhi Leonard — who later scored 31 points against Wemby’s Team World squad — to go all out.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Feb. 2026
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All in all, an enchanting evening—and a great reminder to not wait until the kids are all grown up to go all out.—
Melissa Petro,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tooth and nail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tooth%20and%20nail. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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