under the hammer

Idioms

For sale, as in These paintings and Oriental rugs must come under the hammer if we're to pay the mortgage. This expression alludes to the auctioneer's hammer, which is rapped to indicate a completed transaction. [Mid-1800s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The collection of around 1,550 pieces of film and TV history will go under the hammer over three days from March 25, with in-room bidding on the first day only at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.

From Barron's

Items from Phyllis Rice, the former housekeeper of Christie's holiday home Greenway House in Devon, will go under the hammer at Wessex Auction Rooms in Chippenham, Wiltshire, on Friday.

From BBC

Never-before-seen memorabilia relating to US rock band The Doors is to go under the hammer in Surrey.

From BBC

The collection goes under the hammer at Ewbank's Auctions in Woking on 26 February with an upper guide price of £10,500.

From BBC

Broadstairs Memorial Hall is set to go under the hammer on Thursday, with bids for the property opening on Wednesday.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023