hammering
/'hæməriɳ/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. The act of striking or hitting something repeatedly with force, especially with a hammer or similar object: This refers to the physical action of delivering repeated, heavy blows. 2. A sound or series of sounds produced by such repeated blows: This refers to the noise made by the action of hammering. 3. A severe defeat or criticism: Used figuratively to describe a thorough beating in a contest or a harsh verbal attack.
Examples
- The constant hammering from the construction site next door made it impossible to concentrate.
- He could hear the hammering of rain on the metal roof during the storm.
- After a poor performance, the team took a real hammering from the sports press.
- The boxer gave his opponent a terrible hammering in the third round.
Advanced Usage
- "To take a hammering": To suffer a severe defeat, loss, or damage.
- The company's stock price took a hammering after the scandal was revealed.
- Our defense took a real hammering in the first half of the game.
- "To give someone/something a hammering": To defeat someone thoroughly or to criticize someone or something severely.
- The investigative report gave the government's policy a real hammering.
Variants and Related Words
- Hammer (verb/noun): The tool or the action of using it.
- Hammered (adjective): Slang for being very drunk.
- Hammer and tongs (idiom): To do something with great vigor, energy, or noise.
Synonyms
- Pounding: Repeated heavy hitting.
- Drubbing: A decisive defeat.
- Thrashing: A severe beating or defeat.
- Battering: Repeated heavy blows causing damage.
Phrasal Verbs
- Hammer away at: To work persistently or repeatedly on something.
- She hammered away at the keyboard, trying to finish the report.
- The lawyer hammered away at the witness during cross-examination.
- Hammer out: To produce or agree on something, such as a plan or deal, through lengthy discussion or negotiation.
- The two countries finally hammered out a trade agreement after months of talks.
Related Idioms
- Come under the hammer: To be sold at an auction.
- Several famous paintings will come under the hammer next week.
- Hammer something home: To emphasize a point very forcefully to make sure it is understood.
- The teacher hammered home the importance of safety procedures.
Noun
- the act of pounding (delivering repeated heavy blows)
- the sudden hammer of fists caught him off guard
- the pounding of feet on the hallway