TOOTH AND NAIL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does tooth and nail mean? 

• TOOTH AND NAIL (adverb)
  The adverb TOOTH AND NAIL has 1 sense:

1. with force and ferocity

  Familiarity information: TOOTH AND NAIL used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• TOOTH AND NAIL (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

With force and ferocity

Context example:

she fought tooth and nail

 Context examples 

But I've got a motive, as my fellow-partner used to say; and I go at it tooth and nail.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Time and again he fought it out with Leach who fought back always, like a wildcat, tooth and nail and fist, until stretched, exhausted or unconscious, on the deck.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)