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Hammer and tongs

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Intensity

Used to express an action done with extreme intensity or effort, like a blacksmith's hard work.

Illustration for Intensity
They went at it hammer and tongs trying to meet the deadline.
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Conflict

Often implies a heated argument or confrontation that is fierce and loud.

Illustration for Conflict
The debaters went hammer and tongs over the issue.
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Informal

The phrase is casual, more likely to be used in informal conversations than formal writing.

Illustration for Informal
At the family reunion, they were all talking hammer and tongs.
Visual representation of the word "Hammer and tongs"

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