First Example:
Charlie: Did you watch the political debate last week?
Emilio: Of course! It was so shocking;
both candidates came out swinging.
both candidates came out swinging.
Charlie: That’s an understatement; they were beyond aggressive.
Emilio: They attacked each other relentlessly.
Meaning: To “come out swinging”
comes from the aggressive act of swinging your arms to punch someone or an
object to hurt others. It’s used as an
expression to depict someone mounting a verbal attack on someone
aggressively. In this example, Emilio
describes the politicians having a debate which probably involved strong
accusations, strong/aggressive behavior or language to attack each other.
Second Example:
Sarah: If Peter doesn’t have a good explanation for leaving me and my family in
the middle of dinner, I’m going to come out swinging at him when he
arrives.
the middle of dinner, I’m going to come out swinging at him when he
arrives.
Michael: Hey, take it easy. Don’t be so
violent. I’m sure there’s a rational
explanation. However, that doesn’t give
you the right to attack someone physically.
violent. I’m sure there’s a rational
explanation. However, that doesn’t give
you the right to attack someone physically.
Sarah: I won’t actually do it, I’m just so angry for his rude behavior.
Michael: I understand your anger, but saying something like that will confuse
people and think you’re violent.
people and think you’re violent.
