come out swinging

come out swinging

English

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.

Pronunciation

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Verb

come out swinging

1. (idiomatic) To initiate an encounter or interaction by behaving in an unrestrainedly aggressive, confrontational, or accusatory manner.
   • 1972, "Kuhn Blasts Rozelle's Poll," Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 1 Feb., p. C1:

     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.

   • 2002, J. F. O. McAllistair, "Blair the Bungee Jumper," Time, 25 Feb.:

     So ingrained is the instinct for massive retaliation that Downing St. came out swinging before mastering the facts.

2. (idiomatic) To display spunk and strength of character, especially when rising above or when fighting back against trouble or adversity.
   • 1967, Paul H. Dougherty, "Advertising: Oldest Agency Thinking Young," New York Times, 26 Feb., p. F16:

     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.

   • 2009, Julie Miller, Out of Control, →ISBN, ch. 9:

     She'd endured cruelty and grief and still came out swinging.