hammer
gb/hˈæmɚ/ us/hˈæmɚ/
A2
English
~ 7800
kalapács, kalapál, kalapáccsal beüt, dönget, püföl, ver, keményen bírál, élesen támad, elver, kiütésesen legyőz, tönkrever, csúnyán megver, elsöprő vereséget mér, fölényesen legyőz, kiüt, lealáz, leiskoláz, kakas, árverési kalapács, dobókalapács
NOUN
A2
1
kalapács
A2
Usage pattern:
to use a hammer to hit [something]
He grabbed a hammer and started fixing the loose boards on the porch.
Felkapott egy kalapácsot, és elkezdte megjavítani a kilazult deszkákat a verandán.
You’ll need a hammer and some nails to hang that picture.
Szükséged lesz egy kalapácsra és néhány szögre, hogy felakaszd azt a képet.
The carpenter’s hammer slipped and dented the metal frame.
She keeps a small hammer in the kitchen drawer for odd jobs around the house.
The mechanic used a hammer to knock the part back into place.
Learner examples
He uses a hammer to put nails in the wall.
Kalapácsot használ, hogy szögeket verjen a falba.
Please give me the hammer from the toolbox.
Kérlek, add ide a kalapácsot a szerszámosládából.
She hits the nail with a hammer.
We do not have a hammer, so we cannot fix the chair.
The worker carries a hammer on his belt.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse the noun 'hammer' with the verb and say *'I hammer' when they mean 'I need a hammer.' Remember: 'a hammer' is the tool; 'to hammer' is the action of hitting with it.
Meaning
hand tool for hitting nails
Collocations
claw hammer
|sledgehammer
|hammer and nails
|swing a hammer
|hammer blow
Synonyms
mallet (A similar tool but usually with a larger, softer head, often made of wood or rubber.)
Themes
daily life
|construction
|work
|daily_life
Definition
A tool with a heavy metal head that you use in your hand to hit nails or other things.
A handheld tool with a heavy head, usually made of metal, used for hitting nails or other objects.
VERB
B1
2
kalapál
B1
Usage pattern:
to hammer [something] (into [something])
She carefully hammered the nails into the frame so it wouldn’t crack.
Óvatosan kalapálta be a szögeket a keretbe, nehogy a keret megrepedjen.
Don’t hammer that screw; you’ll strip the head.
Ne üsd be kalapáccsal azt a csavart; tönkreteszed a fejét.
They hammered metal brackets into the concrete wall.
He hammered the tent pegs into the ground before the storm started.
The worker hammered the lid back into place with three quick blows.
Learner examples
He hammers a nail into the wall.
Szöget kalapál a falba.
Please do not hammer the glass; it will break.
Kérlek, ne ütögesd kalapáccsal az üveget; eltörik.
They hammer the metal pins into the floor.
She slowly hammers the nail so she does not bend it.
We hammer the sign into the ground.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *'hit with a hammer a nail' instead of 'hit a nail with a hammer' or 'hammer a nail.' The usual pattern is 'hammer a nail into the wall.'
Meaning
hit something using a hammer
Collocations
hammer a nail
|hammer it in
|hammer the stake into
Synonyms
pound (Can describe hitting hard with or without a tool, not only with a hammer.)
Themes
daily life
|construction
|work
|daily_life
Definition
To use a hammer to hit something, often to push a nail or other object into wood or another material.
To hit or drive something by using a hammer.
VERB
B2
3
Usage pattern:
to hammer [something] / to hammer on/at [something]
Someone was hammering on the door in the middle of the night.
Valaki az éjszaka közepén döngette az ajtót.
Heavy rain hammered the roof for hours.
A szakadó eső órákon át verte a tetőt.
He hammered the ball into the back of the net.
The workers hammered at the frozen ground with their tools.
She hammered her fists against the window, trying to get attention.
Learner examples
He hammers on the door because he is angry.
Döngeti az ajtót, mert mérges.
The rain hammers on the roof.
Az eső veri a tetőt.
The player hammers the ball into the goal.
She hammers the table with her hand.
They hammer on the wall and make a lot of noise.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'knock' in contexts where native speakers prefer the stronger 'hammer' to show force, for example, 'He hammered on the door' instead of 'He knocked on the door' when the action is very loud and aggressive.
Meaning
hit hard many times
Collocations
hammer on the door
|hammer away at the door
|hammer the ball
|hammer the keyboard
Synonyms
pound (Very close in meaning, but 'pound' is slightly more common for repeated hitting without a tool.)
Antonyms
tap (Means to hit something lightly, the opposite of hitting hard.)
Themes
daily life
|sports
|weather
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To hit something or someone very hard again and again.
To hit something or someone very hard, often many times, sometimes without using an actual hammer.
VERB
B2
4
élesen támad
B2
Usage pattern:
to hammer [someone/something] (for [something])
Commentators hammered the coach for his poor tactics.
A kommentátorok keményen bírálták az edzőt a rossz taktikája miatt.
The newspapers hammered the company over its safety record.
A lapok keményen támadták a vállalatot a rossz biztonsági mutatói miatt.
She was hammered online after her controversial remarks.
Opposition leaders hammered the prime minister during the debate.
The film was hammered by critics but loved by audiences.
Learner examples
The media hammers the politician for his mistake.
A média keményen bírálja a politikust a hibája miatt.
Fans hammered the team after the bad game.
A szurkolók keményen bírálták a csapatot a rossz meccs után.
He was hammered on social media for his joke.
Critics hammered the movie in their reviews.
The article hammers the company for its high prices.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use only 'criticize' in strong contexts. In headlines or speech, 'hammer' adds the idea of very strong, repeated criticism. Do not use it for mild or polite comments.
Meaning
criticize very strongly
Collocations
hammer the government
|hammer the decision
|hammer the company
|hammer a policy
Synonyms
slam (Very close in meaning, common in news writing for strong public criticism.)
Antonyms
praise (Means to say very good things about someone, the opposite of strong criticism.)
Themes
media
|politics
|emotions
|communication
Definition
To say very strong, negative things about a person or idea, again and again, often in public.
To strongly and repeatedly criticize someone or something, especially in public or in the media.
VERB
B2
INFORMAL
5
Usage pattern:
to hammer [someone/some team]
They hammered their rivals 4–0 in the final.
A döntőben 4–0-ra elverték a riválisukat.
The home team was hammered in front of their own fans.
A hazai csapatot saját szurkolói előtt csúnyán elverték.
We absolutely hammered them in the second half.
The champion hammered his opponent in just two rounds.
The visitors hammered the league leaders in a shock result.
Learner examples
Our team hammered them five to one.
A csapatunk öt-egyre elverte őket.
They were hammered in the match yesterday.
Tegnap a meccsen csúnyán elverték őket.
We hammered the other school in the final game.
The boxer hammered his opponent in the first round.
Their side was hammered and felt very disappointed.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *'win them' instead of 'beat them' or 'hammer them.' The correct pattern is 'We hammered them,' not *'We hammered to them.'
Meaning
defeat by a large margin
Collocations
hammer the opposition
|hammer their rivals
|hammer them 5–0
Synonyms
thrash (Informal; often used in sports to show a big, easy win.)
Antonyms
lose to (Means to be defeated by someone, the opposite result.)
Themes
sports
|competition
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To win against another person or team by a lot of points or goals.
To beat an opposing person or team by a very large amount in a game, competition, or contest.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
6
When you press a key, a small hammer inside the piano strikes the string.
Amikor lenyomsz egy billentyűt, a zongora belsejében egy kis kalapács ráüt a húrra.
The gun’s hammer was pulled back and ready to fire.
A fegyver kakasa fel volt húzva, tüzelésre készen.
A broken hammer in the mechanism can stop the whole device from working.
Technicians replaced the worn hammer to improve the instrument’s sound.
The old revolver had a very heavy hammer that was hard to pull.
Learner examples
Each key on a piano controls a small hammer inside.
A zongorán minden billentyű egy kis belső kalapácsot mozgat.
The hammer in the gun hits the bullet.
A fegyverben a kakas üti meg a lőszert.
If the hammer breaks, the machine will not work.
The piano hammer hits the string to make a sound.
The engineer checks the hammer inside the device.
Meaning
striking part in machines
Collocations
piano hammer
|gun hammer
|hammer mechanism
Synonyms
striker (Technical term often used especially for the part in a firearm that hits the firing pin or cartridge.)
Themes
technology
|music
|weapons
Definition
A small part inside a machine, piano, or gun that hits another part to make a sound or make the machine work.
A part inside a machine, instrument, or firearm that strikes another part to produce a sound or cause a mechanical action.
NOUN
C1
7
At the fall of the hammer, the painting was sold for a record price.
A kalapács leütésekor a festmény rekordáron kelt el.
The auctioneer raised his hammer and looked around the room.
Az árverésvezető felemelte a kalapácsát, és körbenézett a teremben.
Several rare books will go under the hammer next week.
The final bid was accepted, and the hammer came down.
She lifted the hammer to signal the start of the auction.
Learner examples
The auctioneer hits the table with a hammer.
Az árverésvezető a kalapáccsal az asztalra üt.
When the hammer falls, the item is sold.
Amikor lecsap a kalapács, a tárgy elkelt.
Three cars will go under the hammer today.
He holds the hammer and waits for a higher price.
The sound of the hammer means the end of the auction.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'under the hammer' is about physical hitting. In auctions, it means 'for sale at auction,' not literally under a tool.
Meaning
auctioneer’s small hammer
Collocations
auction hammer
|fall of the hammer
|under the hammer
Synonyms
gavel (More common specific word for this small hammer used by judges and auctioneers.)
Themes
business
|law
Definition
A small hammer that a person in an auction hits on a table to show that something is sold.
A small hammer used by an auctioneer to signal the end of bidding and the final sale of an item.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
8
kalapács
B2
dobókalapács
C1
She set a new national record in the hammer with her first throw.
Első dobásával új országos csúcsot állított fel kalapácsvetésben.
The athlete spun three times before releasing the hammer.
A sportoló háromszor megpördült, mielőtt elengedte a kalapácsot.
Officials checked the weight of the hammer before the competition.
His hammer landed just outside the sector and was ruled invalid.
The stadium fell silent as she prepared to throw the hammer.
Learner examples
He trains every day to throw the hammer.
Mindennap edz, hogy kalapácsot vessen.
The hammer is very heavy and made of metal.
A kalapács nagyon nehéz, és fémből van.
She won a gold medal in the hammer throw.
The athlete holds the hammer by a small handle.
They measure how far the hammer flies.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with the normal tool. In athletics, the hammer is a ball on a wire, not a tool for nails.
Meaning
heavy ball for hammer throw
Collocations
hammer throw
|throw the hammer
|hammer world record
Themes
sports
Definition
In sports, a heavy metal ball on a wire that athletes throw in an event called the hammer throw.
In athletics, a heavy metal ball attached to a wire and handle, which is thrown in the event called the hammer throw.
Grammar
Dictionary form
hammer
IPA
GB/hˈæmɚ/
US/hˈæmɚ/
Syllables & stress
ham - mer (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ham)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: hammer
- Plural: hammers
Verb
- Base: hammer
- 3rd Person Singular: hammers
- Present Participle: hammering
- Past: hammered
Word family
Forms
hammers
noun
hammering
verb
hammered
verb
Related words
sledgehammer
noun
jackhammer
noun
Advanced or less common
hammerhead
noun
Expressions
bring the hammer down (on someone/something)
1/bɹˈɪŋ ðə hˈæmɚ dˈaʊn ˈɔn sˈoʊmˈoʊnsəmˈɛθɪŋ/
idiom
informal
punish or act very strictly
To punish someone very strongly, or to take very strong, strict action to stop something.
Examples
- The company brought the hammer down on staff who broke the rules.
- Parents are being urged to bring the hammer down on underage drinking.
- Regulators are ready to bring the hammer down on unsafe operators.
give someone a hammering
1/ɡˈɪv sˈʌmwˌʌn ə hˈæmɚɪŋ/
idiom
informal
defeat or attack someone heavily
To beat someone by a lot in a game, or to criticize them very strongly.
Examples
- We gave them a real hammering in the final.
- Commentators gave the manager a hammering after the loss.
- The press gave the policy a hammering.
go at it hammer and tongs
1/ɡˈoʊ ˈæt ˈɪt hˈæmɚ ˈænd tˈɔŋz/
idiom
informal
argue or fight very fiercely
To argue, fight, or work with a lot of energy and force.
Examples
- The two candidates went at it hammer and tongs in the debate.
- They were going at it hammer and tongs over the budget cuts.
- The team went at it hammer and tongs in training.
hammer away at
1/hˈæmɚ əwˈeɪ ˈæt/
phrasal verb
work or attack something persistently
To continue working very hard on something, or to keep saying the same thing again and again.
Examples
- She kept hammering away at her essay until it was perfect.
- The teacher hammered away at the importance of regular practice.
- They hammered away at the problem but couldn’t find a solution.
hammer home
1/hˈæmɚ hˈoʊm/
phrasal verb
emphasize strongly and repeatedly
To say something many times in a clear, strong way so that people will really understand and remember it.
Examples
- The coach hammered home the need for discipline.
- The ad campaign hammers home the message that speed kills.
- He tried to hammer home how serious the situation was.
hammer out
1/hˈæmɚ ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
reach agreement after hard talks
To reach an agreement or plan after a lot of discussion and hard work.
Examples
- The two sides finally hammered out a deal late last night.
- Negotiators are still trying to hammer out the details of the contract.
- It took weeks to hammer out an agreement that everyone could accept.
take a hammering
1/tˈeɪk ə hˈæmɚɪŋ/
idiom
informal
suffer heavy defeat or loss
To be badly beaten or to lose a lot of money, respect, or support.
Examples
- Our team took a hammering in the second half.
- The company’s share price has taken a hammering this year.
- The government took a hammering in the local elections.
go under the hammer
1/ɡˈoʊ ˈʌndɚ ðə hˈæmɚ/
idiom
be sold at auction
To be sold in a public sale where people make bids (an auction).
Examples
- The famous painting will go under the hammer next month.
- Several of his paintings will go under the hammer next month.
- Several rare books are going under the hammer today.
- The old theater is set to go under the hammer later this year.
- Hundreds of items from the estate went under the hammer yesterday.