come out swinging
To initiate an encounter or interaction by behaving in an unrestrainedly aggressive, confrontational, or accusatory manner.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He came out swinging during the argument.”
“You always come out swinging when someone asks about your grades.”
“The players come out swinging every time they face their biggest rivals.”
“When the manager criticized her work, she came out swinging and defended her team's results.”
“After the newspaper published a negative review of his restaurant, the owner came out swinging on social media by posting photos of his clean kitchen.”
“The lawyer came out swinging during the first hour of the trial, accusing the witness of lying about the events of that night.”
“The candidate came out swinging at the start of the debate, immediately challenging his opponent's record on economic policy.”
The idiom alludes to the conduct of a boxer who enters a match, or commences a new round, by immediately throwing punches in an unrestrained and aggressive manner. It preserves the image of the opening bell, describing a combatant who prefers the immediate application of force to the cautious observation of his opponent.
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appetite comes with eating
Starting an activity increases one's desire to continue it.
- 02
as they come
As it is possible to be.
- 03
blow to kingdom come
To totally destroy (something); to annihilate or wipe out (something).
- 04
burn that bridge when one comes to it
To anticipate dealing with a problem or situation either by acting in a manner that alienates or cuts ties with others, or merely with the expectation of encountering trouble.
- 05
Christmas come early
Something very delightful or fortunate that is happening or has happened, especially earlier than expected.
- 06
come a cropper
To suffer some accident or misfortune; to fail.
- 07
come a long way
To make significant progress.
- 08
come again
A polite formula used when one has not heard or understood what has been said, or to indicate surprise.
Last updated August 10, 2026