Hammering
ˈhæmərɪŋ
Definitions
3 meaningsTo repeatedly strike with a hammer or a similar tool.
ˈhæmərɪŋ
To hit something repeatedly with a hammer or something similar.
The carpenter was hammering the last nail into the bookshelf.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're building a birdhouse. Hammering means you're hitting the nails into the wood over and over to hold it together. It's like the 'tap-tap-tap' sound you hear when someone's fixing something.
👶 For kids: Hitting something over and over with a hammer.
More Examples
They were hammering on the door, trying to get in.
He spent all day hammering metal into shape.
How It's Used
"The construction workers were hammering nails into the wooden frame."
"He spent the afternoon hammering wood to build the deck."
To repeatedly criticize or pressure someone or something.
ˈhæmərɪŋ
To subject someone or something to persistent or intense criticism or pressure.
The media was hammering the government over the scandal.
💡 Simply: Imagine you are constantly reminding someone to do their chores. Hammering means you are putting pressure on them again and again, like you are hitting them again and again with requests.
👶 For kids: When you keep telling someone something over and over, like, 'Do your homework!'
More Examples
The coach was hammering his players with drills.
The company is hammering down on employee performance.
How It's Used
"The candidate was hammering his opponent on their stance on taxes."
"The company was hammering its sales team to meet the quarterly target."
The act of repeatedly hitting something with a hammer
ˈhæmərɪŋ
The rhythmic hammering of the construction workers kept him up.
💡 Simply: It's the sound and the act of hammering.
👶 For kids: When you hear someone using a hammer.
More Examples
The hammering on the door got louder and louder.
I could hear the hammering from my house.
How It's Used
"The hammering of the construction crew was heard all day"
"The constant hammering of the drums annoyed the neighbors"
Idioms & expressions
hammer and tongs
With a lot of energy and enthusiasm; vigorously.
"They argued hammer and tongs until late into the night."
hammer something out
To work on something, such as a plan or agreement, and eventually find a solution.
"They need to hammer out the details before they can sign the contract."
From Middle English *hameren*, from Old English *hamerian* ('to hammer'), from *hamor* ('hammer').
The word has been used for centuries, primarily referring to the act of using a hammer.
Memory tip
Imagine someone using a hammer – they are hammering!