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."
inseparable
hammer away
B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
To work at something persistently and with great energy; also to repeat a point or argument forcefully and continuously.
In plain English
To keep doing something with a lot of energy and without stopping, like hammering a nail again and again.
What does "hammer away" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To keep striking with a hammer repeatedly.
Actually means
To keep doing something with a lot of energy and without stopping, like hammering a nail again and again.
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "hammer away"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
keyboard typewriter opponent problem argument point
How to conjugate "hammer away"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "hammer away" in the wild
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