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swinging

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swing for the fences

1. baseball Literally, to put all one's power into one's swing while batting so as to try to hit a home run. All they need is two more runs to win the game, so you can bet their star batter will come out swinging for the fences.

2. By extension, to put forward one's maximum amount of effort or energy (into or toward something); to act or perform with great intensity or effort. I wasn't sure about their state-appointed lawyer at first, but I was well impressed when he came out swinging for the fences on day one of the trial.

See also: fence, swing

come out swinging

also come out fighting

to strongly defend yourself or something you believe in Both candidates came out swinging in the televised debate Sunday night.

See also: come, out, swinging

come out fighting

  (British, American & Australian) also come out swinging (mainly American)

if someone comes out fighting, they defend themselves or something they believe in, in a very determined way They were criticized from all sides but they came out fighting. The candidates came out swinging in the first few minutes of the debate.

See also: come, fight, out

swinging

mod. great. The concert was swinging—nothing like it, ever.