hammer away at

Idioms and Phrases

Keep at something continuously, as in The reporters hammered away at the candidate . This phrase employs hammer in the sense of “beat repeatedly,” a usage dating from the mid-1600s.

Example Sentences

They also never neglect the power of narrative and nationalism and always hammer away at their own supposed superiority as lovers and protectors of the nation.

From Salon

On immigration, Biden needs to explain the historical problem, put the current “crisis” in perspective and continue to hammer away at people like House Speaker Mike Johnson who have blocked bipartisan legislation needed to help fix the problem.

From Salon

High above a railway bridge spanning a foaming river just outside the Arctic Circle, Finnish construction workers hammer away at a project that will smooth the connections from NATO's Atlantic coastline in Norway to its new border with Russia.

From Reuters

Hammer away at this week’s Slate News Quiz.

From Slate

“This likely wouldn’t have been able to survive a veto if it passed, but the president knew it wasn’t worth letting Republicans hammer away at our party as being soft on crime for the next two years,” said a Democratic lawmaker.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• answer
• bicker
• consider
• contest
• deliberate
• oppose
• question
• wrangle