1888. J. McCarthy and Mrs. Campbell-Praed, The Ladies’ Gallery, ch. i. I think the chaps that are always hammering on about repentance and atonement and forgiveness of sin have got hold of the wrong end.
Hammer-and-Tongs, adv. phr. (common).—Very violently; ding-dong.
1781. G. Parker, View of Society, II., 108. His master and mistress were at it hammer and tongs.
1833. Marryat, Peter Simple, ch. xxxv. Our ships were soon hard at it, hammer and tongs.
1837. Marryat, Snarleyow. Ods bobs! Hammer and Tongs! long as I’ve been to sea.
1861. H. Kingsley, Ravenshoe, ch. lx. Mr. Malone fell upon them hammer and tongs
1862. M. E. Braddon, Lady Audley’s Secret, ch. iv. ‘I always said the old buffer would marry,’ he muttered, after about half an hour’s reverie. ‘Alicia and my lady, the stepmother, will go at it hammer and tongs.’
1884. Jas. Payn, Talk of the Town, ch. xx. Both parties went at it hammer and tongs, and hit one another anywhere and with anything.
Hammer-headed, adj. (common).—1. Oafish; stupid.
1600. Nashe, Summers Last Will (Grosart), vi., 169. A number of rude Vulcans, vnweldy speakers, hammer-headed clownes.