hammer-lock

A wrestler applies a hammer-lock to his opponent on the mat.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Wrestling hold: A "hammer-lock" is a wrestling hold in which the opponent's arm is bent behind their back and locked in place, typically used to control or subdue them.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The wrestler applied a hammer-lock to his opponent, forcing him to submit. (A wrestling hold where the arm is bent behind the back.)
  • In self-defense training, the hammer-lock is a common technique for restraining an attacker. (A method of immobilizing someone by locking their arm.)

Advanced Usage

• "to put someone in a hammer-lock": to apply the hold to someone.

  • The police officer put the suspect in a hammer-lock to prevent him from escaping. (The officer used the hold to restrain the suspect.)

• "to break a hammer-lock": to escape from the hold.

  • The trained fighter knew how to break a hammer-lock by twisting his body. (He escaped the hold through a specific movement.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hammerlock (n): an alternative spelling of "hammer-lock", meaning the same wrestling hold.
  • The coach taught the students how to escape from a hammerlock. (The same hold, written as one word.)

Synonyms

• Arm lock: a general term for any wrestling hold that immobilizes an arm.
• Full nelson: a different wrestling hold where both arms are locked behind the opponent's head.

Related Idioms

• To have someone in a hammer-lock (figurative): to have someone in a position of complete control or disadvantage.
  • The company had its competitors in a hammer-lock with its aggressive pricing strategy. (The company had complete control over its rivals.)

Notes

• The term "hammer-lock" is primarily used in wrestling, martial arts, and self-defense contexts. It is not commonly used in everyday conversation.