(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
1.
A ~ is a tool that consists of a heavy piece of metal at the end of a handle. It is used, for example, to hit nails into a piece of wood or a wall, or to break things into pieces.
He used a ~ and chisel to chip away at the wall.
N-COUNT
2.
If you ~ an object such as a nail, you hit it with a ~.
To avoid damaging the tree, ~ a wooden peg into the hole...
Builders were still ~ing outside the window.
VERB: V n prep/adv, V, also V n
•
Hammer in means the same as ~ .
The workers kneel on the ground and ~ the small stones in.
PHRASAL VERB: V n P, also V P n (not pron)
~ing
The noise of ~ing was dulled by the secondary glazing.
N-UNCOUNT
3.
If you ~ on a surface, you hit it several times in order to make a noise, or to emphasize something you are saying when you are angry.
We had to ~ and shout before they would open up...
A crowd of reporters was ~ing on the door...
He ~ed his two clenched fists on the table.
= pound
VERB: V, V on n, V n on n
~ing
As he said it, there was a ~ing outside.
N-SING
4.
If you ~ something such as an idea into people or you ~ at it, you keep repeating it forcefully so that it will have an effect on people.
He ~ed it into me that I had not suddenly become a rotten goalkeeper...
Recent advertising campaigns from the industry have ~ed at these themes.
VERB: V n into n, V at n
5.
If you say that someone ~s another person, you mean that they attack, criticize, or punish the other person severely. (mainly BRIT)
The report ~s the private motorist...
VERB: V n
~ing
Parents have taken a terrible ~ing.
N-SING
6.
If you say that businesses are being ~ed, you mean that they are being unfairly harmed, for example by a change in taxes or by bad economic conditions. (BRIT)
The company has been ~ed by the downturn in the construction and motor industries.
V-PASSIVE: be V-ed
7.
In sports, if you say that one player or team ~ed another, you mean that the first player or team defeated the second completely and easily. (BRIT JOURNALISM)
He ~ed the young Austrian player in four straight sets.
= thrash
VERB: V n
~ing
Our cricketers are suffering their ritual ~ing at the hands of the Aussies.
= thrashing
N-SING
8.
In athletics, a ~ is a heavy weight on a piece of wire, which the athlete throws as far as possible.
N-COUNT
•
The ~ also refers to the sport of throwing the ~.
N-SING: the N
9.
If you say that someone was going at something ~ and tongs, you mean that they were doing it with great enthusiasm or energy.
He loved gardening. He went at it ~ and tongs as soon as he got back from work...
PHRASE: PHR after v
10.
If you say that something goes, comes, or is under the ~, you mean that it is going to be sold at an auction.
Ian Fleming’s original unpublished notes are to go under the ~ at London auctioneers Sotheby’s.
PHRASE: PHR after v