hammer away
B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To keep doing something with a lot of energy and without stopping, like hammering a nail again and again.
Literal meaning: To keep striking with a hammer repeatedly.
Meanings
1 B1
idiomatic
neutral
To keep working at something with sustained effort and energy.
"He hammered away at the piano piece every evening until he could play it perfectly."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To repeat a point, criticism, or argument forcefully and continuously.
"The opposition party kept hammering away at the government's economic record."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Can be used literally (hammering physically) or figuratively (working persistently or repeating an argument). The figurative sense is very common in journalism and everyday speech. Often followed by 'at' to indicate what is being worked on.
Commonly used with
keyboard typewriter opponent problem argument point
Forms
Base
hammer away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
hammers away
he/she/it
Past simple
hammered away
yesterday
Past participle
hammered away
have + pp
-ing form
hammering away
continuous
Understand "hammer away" better
Try:
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "hammer away" on Looplines