Fight Tooth and Nail – Meaning & Usage Examples

Embark on a journey to unravel the charm behind the idiom ‘fight tooth and nail’ as we uncover its meaning, explore its origins, and delve into real-life examples.

Meaning of the Idiom

The idiom ‘fight tooth and nail’ describes a fierce and determined effort to overcome obstacles or adversaries. It conveys the idea of engaging in a struggle with utmost intensity, using all available resources and tactics to achieve one’s goals or defend one’s interests. The imagery of fighting ‘tooth and nail’ evokes a primal and relentless pursuit of victory, where every effort is exerted with unwavering resolve.

Origin of the Idiom

The origin of ‘fight tooth and nail’ can be traced back to ancient combat imagery, where the teeth and nails symbolized primitive weapons in hand-to-hand combat. The phrase emphasizes the idea of using every means available, including the most basic and instinctual, to prevail in a struggle. The association of teeth and nails with ferocity and tenacity underscores the intensity of the fight, suggesting a relentless determination to overcome opposition. Over time, the idiom ‘fighting tooth and nail’ has evolved into a metaphor for any vigorous and unyielding effort to achieve victory or defend one’s position.

10 Idiom Examples in Everyday Situations

1. Despite facing numerous setbacks, the team fought tooth and nail to secure victory in the championship game.

2. In the face of fierce competition, the small business fought tooth and nail to establish itself in the market.

3. Despite the political opposition, the candidate fought tooth and nail to enact meaningful reforms for the community.

4. When faced with adversity, the family fought tooth and nail to overcome financial hardship and build a better future.

5. Despite the challenges of parenthood, they fought tooth and nail to provide their children with every opportunity for success.

6. In the legal battle, the defendant fought tooth and nail to prove innocence and clear their name.

7. Despite criticism and doubt, the artist fought tooth and nail to pursue their passion and create meaningful work.

8. In the face of adversity, the community fought tooth and nail to rebuild after the natural disaster.

9. Despite the long odds, the underdog team fought tooth and nail to make it to the finals.

10. When faced with injustice, they fought tooth and nail to uphold their rights and seek redress.

10 Quotes Featuring the Idiom

1. “In the arena of life, success often goes to those who are willing to fight tooth and nail for their dreams.” – Unknown

2. “The idiom ‘fighting tooth and nail’ reminds us that victory often requires resilience, determination, and unwavering effort.” – Unknown

3. “In the battle of life, it’s not always the strongest or the fastest who win, but those who fight tooth and nail to the very end.” – Unknown

4. “When faced with adversity, remember to fight tooth and nail for what you believe in, for it is in the struggle that true strength is forged.” – Unknown

5. “The idiom ‘fighting tooth and nail’ speaks to the resilience of the human spirit, reminding us that determination can overcome even the greatest of obstacles.” – Unknown

6. “In the face of adversity, it’s important to remember to fight tooth and nail, for it is in the struggle that we discover our true strength and resilience.” – Unknown

7. “The idiom ‘fighting tooth and nail’ serves as a reminder that sometimes, the greatest victories come from the hardest-fought battles.” – Unknown

8. “When faced with adversity, remember to fight tooth and nail, for it is in the struggle that we discover our true strength and resilience.” – Unknown

9. “The idiom ‘fighting tooth and nail’ serves as a testament to the power of determination and resilience in overcoming challenges and achieving success.” – Unknown

10. “When faced with adversity, remember to fight tooth and nail, for it is in the struggle that we discover our true strength and resilience.” – Unknown

Idioms Starting From Letter F

Each and every letter of the English alphabet has hundreds of idioms. As in this post, we are talking about the idiom beginning with the letter F. There are many other idioms that also start with the ‘F’, which can be useful to you. We have gathered all the F-starting idiomatic expressions on a single page to make it easy for you to find the best and most useful idioms starting with the letter F.

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