Dictionary

come out swinging en · VERB

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Etymology

An allusion to the behavior of a boxer who immediately begins a boxing match or a round of a match by aggressively throwing punches in an unrestrained manner.

Meanings

1. (idiomatic) To initiate an encounter or interaction by behaving in an unrestrainedly aggressive, confrontational, or accusatory manner.
   • New York baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn, rolling up his sleeves and coming out swinging for the first time Monday, bluntly told Pete Rozelle to quit "kidding the people" about football being the nation's no. 1 sport. 1972 February 1, “Kuhn Blasts Rozelle's Poll”, in Sarasota Herald-Tribune, page C1:
   • So ingrained is the instinct for massive retaliation that Downing St. came out swinging before mastering the facts. 2002 February 25, J. F. O. McAllistair, “Blair the Bungee Jumper”, in Time:
2. (idiomatic) To display spunk and strength of character, especially when rising above or when fighting back against trouble or adversity.
   • There's ferment is Philadelphia where the ad agency with the oldest name in the business after a very bad year is picking itself up and coming out swinging. 1967 February 26, Paul H. Dougherty, “Advertising: Oldest Agency Thinking Young”, in New York Times, page F16:
   • She'd endured cruelty and grief and still came out swinging. 2009, Julie Miller, chapter 9, in Out of Control, →ISBN:

Forms

Relateds

come back swinging