adv. phr. (common).—Very violently; ding-dong.

1

  1781.  G. PARKER, A View of Society, II., 108. His master and mistress were at it HAMMER AND TONGS.

2

  1833.  MARRYAT, Peter Simple, II. xvi. Our ships were soon hard at it, HAMMER AND TONGS.

            Ibid. (1837), Snarleyyow; or The Dog Fiend, ix.
Odds, bobs, HAMMER AND TONGS, long as I’ve been to sea,
I’ve fought ’gainst every odds—and I’ve gain’d the victory.

3

  1861.  H. KINGSLEY, Ravenshoe, ch. lx. Mr. Malone fell upon them HAMMER AND TONGS.

4

  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.’

5

  1884.  PAYN, The Talk of The Town, ch. xx. Both parties went at it HAMMER AND TONGS, and hit one another anywhere and with anything.

6