# put the hammer down

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/put-the-hammer-down
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To drive quickly; to step on the accelerator.

## Examples

- He put the hammer down to pass the slow truck.
- When the light turned green, she put the hammer down to merge safely onto the highway.
- Realizing they were running late for the flight, he put the hammer down and pushed the car to its absolute limit.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.