hammering
hammering — noun
1. the loud noise produced when someone or something strikes a surface forcefully a
the loud noise produced when someone or something strikes a surface forcefully and repeatedly, often using a tool or a fist, or the act of making this noise.
The constant hammering from the building site next door made Bao's windows vibrate.
hammering from [source/place]
Mizuki recognised her neighbour's hammering by the fast, steady rhythm it followed.
hammering + possessive + described by its rhythm
Inside the old church, Élise could hear the hammering of carpenters repairing the roof.
The loud hammering from the roof stopped at four, and Selim knew the repair crew had finished.
A distant hammering echoed across the valley as the carpenter built a new barn.
文法句型
hammering + from + [source]
hammering + of + [person/thing]
用法筆記
Usually singular or uncountable; describes either the sound itself (countable with a/an) or the ongoing activity (uncountable).
常見錯誤
2. a situation in which a person, team, or group is completely defeated, especially
a situation in which a person, team, or group is completely defeated, especially in a competition, election, or contest.
The national football team took a real hammering in their match against Brazil.
took a real hammering in [competition]
Devika's proposal for a new park got a hammering from the city council.
got a hammering from [group]
Christopher's company took a hammering when a bigger competitor opened nearby.
The ruling party received a hammering in the local elections last weekend.
- victory
complete defeat is the opposite of winning
文法句型
take a hammering
get a hammering
receive a hammering
suffer a hammering
用法筆記
Common in sports commentary, election coverage, and business contexts. Always takes an article (a hammering). Subject is the person or group that loses.
3. the state of a physical object, structure, or place being badly damaged or destr
the state of a physical object, structure, or place being badly damaged or destroyed, typically by extreme weather, an accident, or a powerful external impact.
The coastal village took a hammering from the strong winds and rising floodwater.
took a hammering from [natural disaster]
Mayumi's vegetable garden took a hammering during the unexpected hailstorm in April.
took a hammering during [weather event]
The local economy took a hammering after the mine closed and people moved away.
Zuri's phone took a hammering when she dropped it onto the concrete path.
- battering
more physical; often of a place hit by weather
- pummelling
less common; implies sustained, repeated damage
文法句型
take a hammering
get a hammering
用法筆記
Subject is usually a place, object, or business — something non-human that suffers harm. Distinguish from sense 2 (defeat of a person/team in competition) and sense 4 (physical attack on a person).
4. a situation in which a person is physically attacked, beaten, or repeatedly stru
a situation in which a person is physically attacked, beaten, or repeatedly struck, especially with fists or a blunt object.
The old man got a terrible hammering from the thieves who stole his bag.
got a terrible hammering from [criminal group]
Joaquín took a real hammering in the boxing ring and could not continue.
took a real hammering in [place/event]
Witnesses reported that the teenager took a hammering from a group outside the station.
The security guard suffered a hammering when he tried to stop the fight.
文法句型
get a hammering
take a hammering
give someone a hammering
suffer a hammering
用法筆記
Subject is the person who is beaten. Active form (give someone a hammering) means the attacker is the subject. Distinguish from sense 2, which refers to defeat in a game or contest rather than physical violence.
5. very strong and harsh criticism directed at a person, idea, policy, or piece of
very strong and harsh criticism directed at a person, idea, policy, or piece of work.
Caleb's debut novel about the Irish famine took a hammering from critics for its inaccurate historical research.
took a hammering from [critics]
The mayor's housing policy got a hammering in the local newspaper for forcing out low-income families.
got a hammering in [publication]
Ilan faced a hammering from his manager for forgetting to include the staff training costs in the quarterly budget.
The film director gave the critics a hammering on live radio for calling his movie 'slow and predictable.'
- criticism
more neutral and general; can be mild or strong
- condemnation
more formal; implies moral judgment
- flak
very informal; often from many people at once
- praise
positive feedback is the opposite of harsh criticism
文法句型
take a hammering
get a hammering
face a hammering
give someone/something a hammering
用法筆記
Can describe criticism received (take/get/face a hammering) or delivered (give someone a hammering). Distinguish from sense 2 (defeat in a competition) and sense 4 (physical violence).