hammer home

hammer (something) home

To make something extremely clear; to make someone understand or realize something, especially through forceful repetition. (Can also be constructed as "hammer home (something).") John hammers their financial difficulties home whenever his wife suggests they buy something new. She needs to hammer home the fact that she was cleared of all charges before the election began. No playing ball in the house! What do I have do to hammer that home to you kids?

See also: hammer, home

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

hammer something home

Fig. to try extremely hard to make someone understand or realize something. The boss hopes to hammer the firm's poor financial position home to the staff. I tried to hammer home to Anne the fact that she would have to get a job.

See also: hammer, home

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

drive/hammer something ˈhome (to somebody)

make sure that somebody understands something completely, for example by repeating it often: The instructor tried to drive home to us the need for safety precautions before diving. ♢ Police used statistics to hammer home their warning about car theft.

See also: drive, hammer, home, something

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017