sledgehammer
Definition
Noun:
- A heavy, long-handled hammer: A large, powerful hammer with a long handle, designed for heavy-duty tasks such as driving stakes, breaking up concrete, or demolishing structures. Its weight and leverage make it effective for delivering forceful blows.
Verb:
- To beat or strike with a sledgehammer: To hit something with great force using a sledgehammer. This action implies a powerful, often destructive, impact.
Examples of Usage
Noun:
- The construction worker used a sledgehammer to break the old wall.
- Driving the fence post required the force of a sledgehammer.
Verb:
- They had to sledgehammer the concrete slab to remove it.
- He sledgehammered the ice blocking the driveway.
Advanced Usage
- "a sledgehammer approach": A method of dealing with a problem that uses excessive force or is not subtle; a blunt, overpowering tactic.
- The new regulations are a sledgehammer approach to a minor issue.
- His criticism was a sledgehammer to their delicate proposal.
Variants and Related Words
- Sledge (noun, chiefly British): A common short form for "sledgehammer."
- He swung the sledge with all his might.
Synonyms
- Noun: Maul, mallet (though a mallet is typically wooden and used for lighter tasks).
- Verb: Smash, pound, demolish.
Related Phrases
- "To use a sledgehammer to crack a nut" (Idiom): To use disproportionate force or resources to solve a small or simple problem.
- Firing the entire team for one mistake is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.
Noun
- a heavy long-handled hammer used to drive stakes or wedges
Verb
- beat with a sledgehammer
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