at it

Idioms  

1. Vigorously pursuing an activity, especially a fight, but also sex or some other activity. For example, Whenever they play bridge they really go at it (fight), or The new job keeps Tom at it day and night (works hard), or In the spring the dogs are always at it (sex). Shakespeare used this seemingly modern idiom for “fighting” in Troilus and Cressida (5:3): “They are at it, hark!” [Late 1500s]

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Example Sentences

"Whereas others are going to look at it and think, well, overall it was a good term for the administration because they won most of the cases," he told AFP.

From Barron's • Jul. 3, 2026

In Spain, he became a real-estate agent and was good at it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026

I also spent over three hours gawping at it.

From BBC • Jun. 28, 2026

“When I think about the Angels right now, I just look at it as a very opportunistic time here,” Mozeliak said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 27, 2026

‘It’s a kingfisher,’ Bubbe whispers, her eyes watering as she stares at it.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

Related Words

• active
• unavailable
• working