A WORD AND A BLOW, subs. phr. (old).—Immediate action: as adj. = instantly.
1710. SWIFT, Polite Conversation, i. Nev. Pray, Miss, why do you sigh? Miss. To make a fool ask, and you are the first. Nev. Why, Miss, I find there is nothing but a WORD AND A BLOW with you.
1753. RICHARDSON, The History of Sir Charles Grandison, iv. 206. My cousins are grieved: they did not expect that I would be a WORD AND A BLOW, as they phrase it.
1840. F. TROLLOPE, The Life and Adventures of Michael Armstrong, iv. Mr. Joseph Parsons had a Napoleon-like promptitude of action, which the unlearned operatives described by calling him ‘A-WORD-AND-A-BLOW man.’
