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Meaning & use

hammerings

noun·Everydayinformal

Last updated

UK/ˈhæmərɪŋz/
US/ˈhæmərɪŋz/

“hammerings” is a form of “hammering”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. nouncountableinformalsport

    Heavy defeats in games or competitions, often by a large score.

    Grammar: Countable; usually used in the plural to talk about several such losses, but the singular 'hammering' is more common for one.

    Patterns

    • give someone a hammering
    • take a hammering
    • suffer a hammering

    The team took two hammerings in a row, losing 5–0 and 4–1.

    After a series of hammerings, the coach was replaced.

    They suffered a hammering at home last weekend.

  2. nouncountable

    Repeated strong hits that make a loud noise or cause damage.

    Grammar: Countable; often used in the plural for many blows, but the singular is also common.

    Patterns

    • take a hammering
    • give something a hammering

    The door took a hammering during the storm.

    The old car has taken a few hammerings over the years.

    We could hear the hammerings from the construction site all day.

  3. nouncountableinformal

    Severe criticism or verbal attacks.

    Grammar: Countable; often in the plural when referring to multiple instances of criticism.

    Patterns

    • take a hammering
    • come in for a hammering

    The proposal came in for a hammering from the press.

    After the scandal, the minister faced hammerings in every interview.

    His performance took a hammering from the critics.

Word forms

singularhammering
pluralhammerings

Common combinations

take a hammering
The company's shares took a hammering after the announcement.
give someone a hammering
The champion gave his opponent a hammering in the final round.
suffer a hammering
The team suffered a hammering in the first half.
come in for a hammering
The new policy came in for a hammering from the public.

Synonyms and how they differ

thrashing
Very similar, but 'thrashing' is more common for heavy defeats in sports.
beating
Can mean a defeat or physical hitting; 'hammering' is stronger and more informal.
drubbing
A severe defeat, often used in sports journalism; more formal than 'hammering'.
pounding
Can mean repeated hits or a heavy defeat, but less common for criticism.

Opposites

victorywintriumph

Word family

hammer verb
To hit something repeatedly with force.
hammering noun
Singular form of 'hammerings'.
hammer noun
A tool used for hitting nails.

Commonly confused: hammerings or hammer?

hammerings vs hammer

As a noun, 'hammer' is a tool; 'hammering' is the action or a defeat.

Practice

The team suffered a heavy ______ in yesterday's match, losing 6–0.

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