someone is going at something hammer and tongs 指此人以激烈的方式做某事。该词组适用于那些正在激烈争论的人。如：
- He loved gardening. He went at it hammer and tongs as soon as he got back from work
他酷爱侍弄花草。只要下班一回到家，他就兴冲冲地忙活起来。 - They yell, shout and argue. For six hours a night they go at it, hammer and tongs.
他们又叫又喊又吵，每晚都要乐此不疲地闹腾6个小时。
该词组暗指铁匠所做的传统工作，即他会用一对长把钳（tongs）把烧红的铁块从锻炉中夹出，用锤（hammer）使劲敲打，在震耳的噪声中捶打出铁制品。
