# hammer away at

CEFR C1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hammer-away-at
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to work very hard and for a long time on a difficult task or problem.

For teachers: to work persistently and vigorously at a task; implies repetitive effort or sustained focus on a specific challenge.

## Examples

- He continues to hammer away at his new novel every morning.
- The scientists have been hammering away at the data for weeks to find a solution.
- Despite the initial setbacks, the legal team spent months hammering away at the complex details of the merger until a deal was reached.

## Pitfalls

- Not "She is hammering at away the problem." but "She is hammering away at the problem." — the particles 'away' and 'at' must stay together in this order before the object.

## Usage notes

- usually followed by a noun or a gerund representing a project, problem, or goal.
- Teaching tip: the metaphor comes from a blacksmith or carpenter hitting an object repeatedly to shape it; use this image to help students remember the 'persistent effort' aspect.

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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.