go under the hammer

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Related to going under the hammer: come under the hammer, hammered out

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go under the hammer

To be put up for or sold at auction. The banker's family estate had to go under the hammer to cover some of his mounting debt.

come/go under the ˈhammer

be offered for sale at an auction (= a sale at which things are sold to the person who offers the most money): The house and all its contents are to come under the hammer next Thursday.

The person in charge of an auction hits the table with a hammer to show that he/she has accepted the highest offer.

See also: come, hammer

References in periodicals archive ?

An Audemars Piquet Royal Oak Oak Offshore worth around [pounds sterling]20,900 will be going under the hammer

Jet-skis, blinged-up trainers and a Rolex: Items seized from Liverpool criminals up for grabs; There are no starting prices for any of the high-end items going under the hammer

FUNERAL Oswald in coffin before service KILLED John F Kennedy BURY OLD Pine casket is going under the hammer next month

COFFIN UP; Casket of John F Kennedy assassin Lee Harvey Oswald up for auction

Among the mares in foal going under the hammer is Ipi Tombe, winner of 12 races and nearly pounds 900,000 in prize-money.

Airwave among top fillies in Tattersalls sale

Browns Hotel in Laugharne, west Wales, is going under the hammer tonight at the town's Memorial Hall.

History is on offer

When I discovered it was going under the hammer, I realised it would be a piece of history.

DOME HEIST DIGGER SOLD FOR pounds 10,000

THE KISS: This 1988 painting shows Sir Paul with his late wife Linda; WATERLOO DOCK: The 1962 painting is going under the hammer at Christies

Rare Lowry dock view could fetch pounds 250,000

The large bronze breech loading gun, cast with the Portuguese coat of arms, is among 160 lots going under the hammer and could fetch up to pounds 12,000 at Sotheby's on December 19.

Auction's pounds 250,000 bounty

Many of the other fixtures and fittings, including the pillow that Nasty Nick sobbed into, are also going under the hammer.

Diary chair for sale

Teesside Dr Who buffs - prepare to raid those Tardis money boxes because a life size gold Dalek is going under the hammer.

Who'll get their hands on this monster lot?

More than pounds 400m of art is going under the hammer at Sotheby's and Christie's bi-annual Impressionist, Modern, Post-War and Contemporary Art sales next week.

Masterpieces worth pounds 400m could set sales record

COLLECTORS from across the world are expected to battle it out for a rare piece of 345-year-old embroidery going under the hammer next month.

Embroidery auction has extra needle; KNOWLE

Hot items going under the hammer include a car from an Austin Powers movie, a cricket bat signed by the England team and lots of lovely pop memorabilia.