tooth and nail

adverb

Synonyms of tooth and nailnext
: with every available means : all out
fight tooth and nail

Examples of tooth and nail in a Sentence

I'll fight tooth and nail to win the finals.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The film is the true story of John Tuggle, the last pick in the 1983 NFL Draft by the New York Giants who fought tooth and nail to make the team, the first final draft pick to do so, and would go on to win Special Teams Player of the Year. Brian Welk, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026 Worse still, since losing a four-point game to Edmonton that set in motion a shift from cruising atop the division to fighting tooth and nail for seeding, the Ducks’ game seems to be drifting farther away with each passing date. Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 8 Apr. 2026 Trump has fought tooth and nail in court to suspend wind energy projects that are fully permitted, under contract and under construction across the eastern seaboard. Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026 And Philadelphia is fighting tooth and nail to stay in the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference, because that’s the final one that guarantees a playoff berth. Tony Jones, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tooth and nail

Word History

First Known Use

1550, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tooth and nail was in 1550

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tooth and nail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tooth%20and%20nail. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

tooth and nail

adverb
: as hard as one can
fighting tooth and nail
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster