hammer down
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle down
Meanings
Fix something firmly into place with a hammer
Why “down”? The hand moves down along a surface. It presses, fixes, wipes, or checks it closely.
“He hammered the nails down.”
“She hammered the peg down into the soil.”
Don't confuse with
Hammer down means fix something firmly into place with a hammer. Hammer out means reach an agreement after long and difficult discussion.
Test yourself
“He hammered the nails down.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
hammer out
A contrast learners often mix up
Reach an agreement after long and difficult discussion
hose down
Same down pattern: surface work
Wash something by spraying it with a hose
pat down
Same down pattern: surface work
Search someone by feeling over their clothes
rub down
Same down pattern: surface work
Dry or massage by rubbing firmly
smooth down
Same down pattern: surface work
Make a surface flat by stroking it
stick down
Same down pattern: surface work
Attach something to a surface with glue or tape
wipe down
Same down pattern: surface work
Clean a surface with a damp cloth
hammer away
Same base verb: hammer
Keep hammering or pressing on something
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