hammer
HighNeutral
Definition
Meaning
A tool with a heavy head, typically metal, attached to a handle, used for striking or driving nails.
Anything resembling or functioning like a hammer; to hit or beat repeatedly; to criticize or attack severely; in sports, a metal ball attached to a wire for throwing (hammer throw).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a verb, it can mean to strike repeatedly or to emphasize a point persistently. In finance, 'hammer' refers to a candlestick pattern in trading charts. Also used symbolically, as in 'hammer and sickle'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal; pronunciation differs primarily in rhoticity. Idioms like 'hammer and tongs' are used in both, but may be slightly more common in British English. In American English, 'hammer' can informally refer to a gun.
Connotations
Both dialects associate 'hammer' with force, strength, and violence. In informal contexts, it can imply relentless pressure or criticism.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both British and American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
hammer something into somethinghammer on somethinghammer at somethinghammer something homeVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hammer and tongs”
- “hammer something home”
- “under the hammer”
- “go at it hammer and tongs”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To 'hammer out' an agreement means to negotiate and finalize it through intense discussion.
Academic
In physics, a hammer is used to demonstrate concepts of force, momentum, and energy transfer.
Everyday
Commonly used for household repairs, DIY projects, or simple tasks like hanging pictures.
Technical
In construction, a hammer is essential for driving nails; in metallurgy, it is used for forging metal.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He hammered the tack into the floorboard.
- They hammered out the details over tea.
American English
- He hammered the nail into the drywall.
- They hammered out the deal over coffee.
adverb
British English
- He argued hammeringly against the proposal.
- The rain fell hammeringly on the roof.
American English
- He pressed hammeringly for changes.
- The criticism came hammeringly fast.
adjective
British English
- The hammer drill made quick work of the concrete.
- She gave a hammer-like performance in the debate.
American English
- The hammer drill made quick work of the concrete.
- She delivered a hammer-like blow in the argument.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I use a hammer to hit nails.
- The hammer is on the table.
- He hammered the piece of metal into shape.
- Can you pass me the hammer?
- The negotiators hammered out a new contract after hours of discussion.
- She hammered home the importance of safety procedures.
- The prosecutor hammered the witness with relentless questions, leaving no room for evasion.
- Economic sanctions were used as a hammer to force policy changes.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember 'hammer' has two 'm's, like two strikes from the tool.
Conceptual Metaphor
Argument is a hammer; used to drive a point home forcefully.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'hammer out' directly as 'выбивать'; it means 'обсудить детали' or 'договориться'.
- The idiom 'hammer home' means 'внушить' or 'подчеркнуть', not 'забить домой'.
- 'Under the hammer' means 'на аукционе', not 'под молотком' literally.
Common Mistakes
- Mispronouncing as 'hamer' without the double 'm'.
- Using 'hammer' as a verb without an object where context is unclear, e.g., 'He hammered' without specifying what.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'hammer out' mean in business context?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'hammer' is commonly used as both a noun (a tool) and a verb (to strike repeatedly).
A hammer typically has a metal head and is used for driving nails or breaking objects, while a mallet has a softer head, often made of wood or rubber, and is used for striking without damaging surfaces, such as in woodworking or upholstery.
In American English, 'hammer' is pronounced /ˈhæmɚ/, with a rhotic 'r' sound at the end.
The idiom 'under the hammer' means being sold at an auction.