НОГАМИ both coll

VP subj: human the verb may take the final position, otherwise fixed WO

to refuse categorically (to do, accept, agree to etc sth)

X отбивается (от Y-a) руками и ногами - X resists (Y) with all he's got

X fights (it (Y» tooth and nail X fights tooth and nail against Y (in limited contexts) X wants no part of it (Y).

Ивана хотят сделать старостой группы, а он отбивается руками и ногами. They want to put Ivan in charge of the group, but he's resisting with all he's got.

«Уж как ни упирайтесь руками и ногами, мы вас женим!» (Гоголь 3). "You can fight tooth and nail against it but we'll marry you off just the same!" (3c).