hammer away

hammer away

To work hard on something persistently over time. Yes, we're still trying to hammer away the details of this contract. Management had better hammer away a new deal before the workers' union goes on strike. Remodeling a house is a long-term project that you hammer away at slowly, over time. That's why I want to buy a place that's move-in ready!

See also: away, hammer

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

hammer away

v.

1. To pound on something with loud, repeated blows: The kids hammered away at the door until I let them in.

2. To work at something with determination for an extended period: We hammered away on our proposal all night.

3. To talk about something to an excessive and tedious degree: The committee hammered away at the same subject for hours.

See also: away, hammer

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.