adv. phr. (colloquial).—In earnest; to the utmost: i.e., even to biting and scratching. Also WITH TEETH AND ALL.

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  1550.  Jyl of Brentford’s Testament [FURNIVALL], 23. Fight with TOOTHE AND NAYLE.

2

  1550.  HUTCHINSON, Works (Parker Society), 213. [T. L. KINGTON-OLIPHANT, The New English, i. 527. Men attack something] TOOTH AND NAIL.

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  d. 1635.  RANDOLPH, Virtue of a Pot of Good Ale.

        And physic will favour ale (as it is bound)
And stand against beer both TOOTH AND NAIL.

4

  1705.  WARD, Hudibras Redivivus, I. iii. 6. Does TOOTH AND NAIL so nobly stand By th’ ancient Glories of the Land.

5

  1706.  HEARNE, Reliquiæ, i. 114. The bishop laboured TOOTH AND NAYLE to have brought in to have succeeded him a certain haughty Dr.

6

  1749.  SMOLLETT, Gil Blas (1812), II. i. He fell TOOTH AND NAIL upon this course.

7

  1809.  MALKIN, Gil Blas [ROUTLEDGE], 7. This Lucrece of the Asturias … defended her sweet person TOOTH AND NAIL.

8

  1885.  Daily Telegraph, 6 Nov. A desperate TOOTH-AND-NAIL encounter.

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