hammer
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
- Base: hammer
- Plural: hammers
- Base: hammer
- 3rd Person Singular: hammers
- Present Participle: hammering
- Past: hammered
bring the hammer down (on someone/something)
1punish or act very strictly
To punish someone very strongly, or to take very strong, strict action to stop something.
- 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
1defeat or attack someone heavily
To beat someone by a lot in a game, or to criticize them very strongly.
- 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
1argue or fight very fiercely
To argue, fight, or work with a lot of energy and force.
- 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
1work or attack something persistently
To continue working very hard on something, or to keep saying the same thing again and again.
- 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
1emphasize strongly and repeatedly
To say something many times in a clear, strong way so that people will really understand and remember it.
- 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
1reach agreement after hard talks
To reach an agreement or plan after a lot of discussion and hard work.
- 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
1suffer heavy defeat or loss
To be badly beaten or to lose a lot of money, respect, or support.
- 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
1be sold at auction
To be sold in a public sale where people make bids (an auction).
- 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.