at it イディオム

at it again

back at it

beat it

don't sweat it

eat it up

get at it

go at it hammer and tongs

got what it takes

hard at it

have what it takes

have your cake and eat it, too

if a mussel doesn't open don't eat it

sweat it

sweat it out

what it boils down to

what it B like

what it C like

Keep at it!

PERSISTENCE

Keep doing what you are doing!; Keep trying! (Encouragement to keep working at something.)
• The boss told me to keep at it every time he passed my desk.
• Keep at it, Tom! You can do it!

---

have one's cake and eat it too

Idiom(s): have one's cake and eat it too AND eat one's cake and have it too

Theme: GREED

to enjoy both having something and using it up; to have it both ways. (Usually stated in the negative.)
• Tom wants to have his cake and eat it too. It can't be done.
• Don't buy a car if you want to walk and stay healthy. You can't eat your cake and have it too.

---

go at it tooth and nail

Idiom(s): fight sb or sth hammer and tongs AND fight sb or sth tooth and nail; go at it hammer and tongs; go at it tooth and nail

Theme: FIGHTING

to fight against someone or something energetically and with great determination. (All have fixed order.)
• They fought against the robber tooth and nail.
• The dogs were fighting each other hammer and tongs.
• The mayor fought the new law hammer and tongs.
• We'll fight this zoning ordinance tooth and nail.

---

Have your cake and eat it too

If someone wants to have their cake and eat it too, they want everything their way, especially when their wishes are contradictory.

---

You can't have your cake and eat it

This idiom means that you can't have things both ways. For example, you can't have very low taxes and a high standard of state care.

---

at it

adj. phr. Busily doing something; active. His rule for success was to keep always at it. The couple who owned the little cleaning shop were at it early and late. Mr. Curtis heard a loud crash in the next apartment the neighbors were at it again.

---

beat it|beat

v., slang To go away in a hurry; get out quickly. When he heard the crash he beat it as fast as he could. Often used as a command. The big boy said, "Beat it, kid. We don't want you with us."
Compare: CLEAR OUT², LIGHT OUT, HEAD FOR THE HILLS.

---

go at it hammer and tongs|go|hammer|hammer and ton

v. phr., informal 1. To attack or fight with great strength or energy; have a bad argument. Bill slapped George's face and now they're going at it hammer and tongs in back of the house. Helen and Mary have been arguing all day, and now they are going at it hammer and tongs again. 2. To start or do something with much strength, energy, or enthusiasm. The farmer had to chop down a tree and he went at it hammer and tongs. Charles had a lot of homework to do and he went at it hammer and tongs till bedtime.
Compare: IN EARNEST, WITH MIGHT AND MAIN.

---

have one's cake and eat it too|cake|eat|have

v. phr. To enjoy two opposite advantages. You can either spend your money going to Europe or save it for a down payment on a house, but you can't do both. That would be having your cake and eating it, too.

---

for what it's worth

for what it's worth
see under for all one is worth.

---

have one's cake and eat it, too

have one's cake and eat it, too
see eat one's cake and have it, too.

---

what it takes

what it takes
The necessary expertise or qualities, as in She's got what it takes to make a good doctor, or Inherited wealth is what it takes to maintain that lifestyle. This idiom uses what in the sense of “that which” and take in the sense of “require.” [1920]

at it

1. Involved in an action, activity, or following vigorously, exhaustively, or determinedly. I advised absolutely adamantine for this test; I was at it all night. I ambition those dogs would abdicate barking, they've been at it back the sun came up!2. slang Engaging in sex. I can consistently apprehend back the neighbors are at it. It's absolutely embarrassing!

at it

Vigorously advancing an activity, abnormally a fight, but additionally sex or some added activity. For example, Whenever they comedy arch they absolutely go at it (fight), or The new job keeps Tom at it day and night (works hard), or In the bounce the dogs are consistently at it (sex). Shakespeare acclimated this acutely avant-garde argot for "fighting" in Troilus and Cressida (5:3): "They are at it, hark!" [Late 1500s]

at it

affianced in some activity, about a amiss one. 1993 G. F. Newman Law & Order Oh, don't booty me for a complete idiot, Jack. I apperceive you're at it.

at it

Informal Affianced in exact or concrete conflict; arguing or fighting: The neighbors are at it again.

Learn more: