Standard Lemma guide

tooth-and-nail

adj · adv · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

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Pronunciation

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1

adj

Meaning 1

vicious; violent; full of strength and power

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, not-comparable

Examples

  • a tooth-and-nail fight
  • a tooth-and-nail battle
  • a tooth-and-nail scrap
  • a tooth-and-nail debate

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adv

Meaning 2

viciously, violently

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • They fought tooth-and-nail

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.