red in tooth and claw

English

Etymology

From Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poem In Memoriam A.H.H..

Adjective

red in tooth and claw (not comparable)

1. So driven by one's animal instincts as to kill defenseless prey animals every day in order to feed.

   We love nature, but nature doesn't love us. One night in the Amazon rainforest will show us that nature is red in tooth and claw.

Related terms

• tooth and nail