1 B2 idiomatic informal
To attack someone physically with great force.
"Without warning, he lammed into the intruder with a barrage of punches."
inseparable
lam into
B2 informal inseparable transitive
To attack someone or something physically or verbally with great force and energy.
In plain English
To hit someone or something very hard, or to criticise someone very angrily.
What does "lam into" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To criticise or scold someone very harshly and angrily.
"The editorial lammed into the government's handling of the housing crisis."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
'Lam' means to strike or beat, so 'lam into' means to beat into something or someone forcefully.
Actually means
To hit someone or something very hard, or to criticise someone very angrily.
Usage tip
Used for both physical violence and harsh verbal criticism. The word 'lam' is itself an informal term meaning to hit hard. More common in North American and Australian informal English. The verbal/critical sense is more frequent in modern usage.
Words that pair with "lam into"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
opponent critic government policy rival press
How to conjugate "lam into"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
lam into
I/you/we/they
3rd person
lams into
he/she/it
Past simple
lamed into
yesterday
Past participle
lamed into
have + pp
-ing form
laming into
continuous
Hear "lam into" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "lam into" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.