Meaning: With great effort and determination; fiercely
Hindi: पूरी शक्ति और दृढ़ता के साथ; भरसक प्रयास करना
Synonyms: fiercely, with all one's might, vigorously
Antonyms: half-heartedly, lazily
Asked in: SSC CGL 2025 T-1 · SSC CGL 2020 T-1
tooth and nail in SSC previous-year questions
- SSC CGL 2025 T-1 Idioms & Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of idiom:
Tooth and nailAnswer & explanation
Answer: A) With full force or vigour
‘Tooth and nail’ means with one’s utmost effort, with full force or vigour, fiercely.
The other options give incorrect meanings. - SSC CGL 2020 T-1 Idioms & Phrases
Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
To fight tooth and nailAnswer & explanation
Answer: A) To fight or compete with great ferocity and intensity
Answer: To fight or compete with great ferocity and intensity
Explanation:
The idiom “to fight tooth and nail” means to fight very fiercely and with great determination (बहुत ज़ोर-शोर से लड़ना या मुकाबला करना).
• It describes putting in a strong effort to win or defend something.
Why other options are incorrect:
• To silently leave the scene of battle – Incorrect meaning
• To use unusual weapons to fight – Not related
• To keep the enemy guessing about the weapons used – Not related
Therefore, the correct meaning is “to fight or compete with great ferocity and intensity.”
Examples
- “They fought tooth and nail to save their business.”
tooth and nail – questions
What is the meaning of tooth and nail in Hindi?
tooth and nail means “पूरी शक्ति और दृढ़ता के साथ; भरसक प्रयास करना” in Hindi. In English: With great effort and determination; fiercely
What are the synonyms of tooth and nail?
Synonyms of tooth and nail: fiercely, with all one's might, vigorously.
What is the opposite of tooth and nail?
Antonyms of tooth and nail: half-heartedly, lazily.
Has tooth and nail been asked in SSC exams?
Yes – tooth and nail has been asked 2 times in SSC exams: SSC CGL 2025 T-1, SSC CGL 2020 T-1.