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Glite Dictionary
to bring down the hammer

to bring down the hammer

1 8.2
To take firm action to punish someone
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : imponer medidas
  • The judge decided to bring down the hammer on the defendant, imposing a lengthy prison sentence for the crime.

We'll be right back then Senator Warren brought down the hammer.

Examples

  • The city's mayor promised to bring down the hammer on businesses that failed to comply with safety regulations.

  • Then you're gonna bring down the hammer in a controlled arc, like so.

    The Santa Con (2014)

  • Now, after 11 years during which IBM nodded when its own employees used and contributed to Hercules, Big Blue has brought down the hammer.

    Blog text (28)

  • Gov. Romney plans to let Wall Street run wild again, but he's going to bring down the hammer.

    Blog text (11)

  • Bidding for a client on the phone, she impatiently gestured at Mr. Pylkknen to bring down the hammer, adding, "Thank you," when he did.

    Blog text (27)

  • Five games into what can only be described as a tragic losing streak (1-4), owner Jim Buss brought down the hammer on Coach Brown to the surprise of the sports world.

    Blog text (6)

  • After months of warnings, the school principal finally brought down the hammer on students who were repeatedly violating the code of conduct.

Synonyms

to crack down
vsto bring down the hammer
63 3.8

To take strong action to stop illegal or wrong behavior

is about decisive action that enforces strict punishments or measures
to lay down the law
vsto bring down the hammer
  • Informal
12 5.5

Tell people firmly what they must do

uses decisive measures and strict enforcement rather than only stating rules
to throw the book at
vsto bring down the hammer
  • Informal
9 7.5

To punish someone as harshly as possible under the law

focuses on strict, decisive action but not always the maximum penalty
to crack the whip
vsto bring down the hammer
5 6.8

To use firm authority to make people work harder and follow rules

implies firm, decisive action including strict punishment rather than ongoing pressure
to strike hard
vsto bring down the hammer
3 3.7

Hit someone or something very hard

is about firm enforcement and punishment rather than physical impact
to lower the boom
vsto bring down the hammer
  • Slang
2 8.4

Punish someone strongly for bad behaviour

is broader, covering firm action beyond just punishment
to bang some heads together
vsto bring down the hammer
  • Informal
8.6

To make people work together by firmly telling them to stop arguing

involves decisive, often formal punishment or measures, not just personal reprimands

Antonyms

to ignore
∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

to overlook
243 2.9

To not notice someone or something you should see

How Harsh

to bring down the hammer
  • Informal
1 8.2
to clamp down
18 4.2
to punish
821 1.0
to discipline
47 3.4
to warn
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

bring down the hammer infinitive
bringing down the hammer present participle
brings down the hammer third person singular
brought down the hammer past
brought down the hammer past participle

Morphology

bring + down + the + hammer

The literal meanings of 'bring' + 'down' + 'hammer' produce a clear image of striking with a hammer, which suggests forceful or decisive action. However, turning that concrete image into the abstract sense of enforcing punishment or strict measures is a metaphorical extension that requires an inferential leap, so a B1 learner knowing the words would only partially predict the exact idiomatic meaning.

Etymology

Bring down the hammer may come from the image of a judge bringing a small hammer down on the bench to show a final decision. That sharp, final strike gives a clear picture of taking 'firm action' or choosing to 'punish', so the phrase means to act strictly and decisively.