hammer out

To reach an agreement after long, difficult discussions.

• They hammered out a deal.
• The two sides hammered out an agreement after days of talks.
• Have the lawyers hammered out a settlement yet?

How to use it: hammer out something with someone (The union hammered out a deal with the company.)

Similar words: negotiate, work out

Common phrases: hammer out agreements, hammer out deals, hammer out settlements

To produce a plan, idea, or piece of writing through hard work.

• We hammered out a plan.
• She hammered out the first chapter over the weekend.
• Can we hammer out the details before Friday?

How to use it: hammer out something (We spent the afternoon hammering out a new plan.)

Similar words: work out, develop

Common phrases: hammer out plans, hammer out ideas, hammer out drafts

To make metal flat or give it a shape by hitting it repeatedly with a heavy tool.

• They hammer out hot iron.
• She hammered out the sheet until it was thin.
• Can you hammer this copper out flat?

How to use it: hammer out something (She hammered out the copper until it was flat.); hammer something out (He heated the metal and hammered it out.)

Similar words: flatten, shape

Common phrases: hammer out metal, hammer out iron, hammer out copper

To make a metal object or fix its bent parts by hitting the metal with a heavy tool.

• He hammered out the dent.
• She hammers out small bowls from copper sheets.
• Can they hammer out the damage to this panel?

How to use it: hammer out something (The worker hammered out a bowl from a copper sheet.); hammer something out (She found a dent in the door and hammered it out.)

Common phrases: hammer out dents, hammer out bowls, hammer out something

To remove something stuck in place by hitting it with a heavy tool.

• We hammered out the pin.
• The bolt was stuck, so she hammered it out.
• Can you hammer the rusty nail out of the board?

How to use it: hammer something out of something (We hammered the pin out of the frame.)

Similar words: knock out

Common phrases: hammer out bolts, hammer out pins, hammer out something

To make a loud tune, beat, or message by hitting something repeatedly.

• She hammered out a rhythm.
• The children were hammering out tunes on the piano.
• He hammered out a warning signal on the metal door.

How to use it: hammer out something on something (He hammered out a tune on the old piano.)

Similar words: bang out

Common phrases: hammer out tunes, hammer out rhythms, hammer out signals