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We may not know the origin with any certainty, but it's a very old idea. The French say one fights with "bec et ongles" (beak and talons), and they apparently got the idea from the Latin phrase "unguibus et rostro." The Latin survives as the motto of the old Roman town (now in France) of Valence in Drome.
In Latin, there's the idea of fighting with the entire body and every nail ("toto corpore atque omnibus ungulis"), which is credited to Cicero.
Interestingly, "red in tooth and claw" is a more recent development, coming from a poem by Tennyson. Apparently "tooth and claw" was already in common use and may be related to "tooth and nail."
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What is the meaning of the idiom 'tooth and nail'?
The Idiom actually reads 'Fighting tooth and Nail'. It means to give everything you've got, literally every tooth and nail in your body, to win a struggle.
Origin of long in the tooth idiom?
The idiom "long in the tooth" originates from the practice of examining a horse's age by looking at the length of its teeth. As horses age, their teeth continue to grow, becoming longer. Thus, "long in the tooth" is used to describe someone who is old or aging.
What is the meaning of tooth and nail?
If your asking for the literal definition, it means With force and ferocity If your asking for other answers, it may include Tooth and Nail, a society in college Tooth and Nail, a record company
What are the Esperanto words for tooth and nail?
The Esperanto words for tooth and nail are dento and najlo.
What are all of Hawk Nelson's CDs?
# Live Life Loud, 2009 [Tooth & Nail] # Let's Dance: The Remixes EP, 2009 [Tooth & Nail] # One Little Miracle Digital EP, 2008 [Tooth & Nail] # Hawk Nelson Is My Friend, 2008 [Tooth & Nail] # Hawk Nelson Is My Friend: Special Edition, 2008 [Tooth & Nail] # Gloria EP, 2006 [Tooth & Nail] # Smile, It's The End Of The World, 2006 [Tooth & Nail] # Connect Sets EP (online only), 2006 [Tooth & Nail/Sony Connect] # Letters To The President: Deluxe Edition, 2005 [Tooth & Nail] # Letters To The President, 2004 [Tooth & Nail] # California EP, 2004 [Tooth & Nail] # Saturday Rock Action, 2003 (independent) # Riding Around The Park, 2000 (independent) (as SWISH)
What is the origin of the idiom Hit the nail on the head?
The idiom "hit the nail on the head" originated from the act of accurately hitting a nail directly on its head while hammering, indicating precision and correctness in a figurative sense. It has been used since the early 16th century to signify getting something exactly right or identifying the main point.
What are some Idiom example?
Dumb as a nail.
What is the origin of the idiom out on a limb?
To be exposed
What is the origin of the idiom 'eat at'?
Advertising
What is the other phrase tooth and?
'Tooth and nail' is the complete phrase.
What is the origin for the idiom dancing up a storm?
Origin "up a storm"
What does hit the nail mean idiom?
it means go to sleep
