How to Pronounce "under the hammer"
expression
ˈəndɝ/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈhæmɝ
UN-der thuh HAM-er
ˈʌndɐ/ /ðə, ði/ /hˈæmɐ
UN-duh thuh HAM-uh
Definition
If something is 'under the hammer', it means it is being sold at an auction. The phrase comes from the auctioneer's use of a hammer to signal a sale.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈəndɝ/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈhæmɝ
British English
ˈʌndɐ/ /ðə, ði/ /hˈæmɐ
Simplified Pronunciation
US
UN-der thuh HAM-er
UK
UN-duh thuh HAM-uh
Listen in Context
The painting is under the hammer this afternoon.
Thousands of books will go under the hammer next week.
The house is under the hammer because the owner cannot pay the bills.
I can't believe her father's car is going under the hammer this Friday.