it was hammered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was hammered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been struck or pounded, often referring to metalwork or construction, but it can also be used metaphorically to describe a state of being very drunk. Example: "After a long night at the bar, he realized it was hammered and needed to call a cab."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

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Vice

It was hammered out in secret in just ten days.

The Economist

She went to another fund started by the Carlyle Group, before it was hammered by credit-default swaps.

The New York Times

(It was hammered by critics and lasted just a season, on Fox, and the production was shuttered early).

The New Yorker

Which book has had the greatest impact on you?  Probably the Bible, because it was hammered over my head so much.

The New York Times - Books

It was hammered against the yen, falling 1.6percentt and briefly dropping below the 140 yen mark, its lowest since late April.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"By the end of it I was hammered and getting topless in front of a bewildered looking cat".

Huffington Post

My heart was already pounding from rushing down from the third floor, but now it was hammering.

The New Yorker

This was the coldest, wettest spring on record in the Northwest, and it was hammering the Oregon coast's tourist industry.

The New York Times - Magazine

In recession, it's hammered.

The Guardian - Opinion

Feliciano said he threw Venable a low slider and was surprised to see it be hammered.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was hammered" to describe an agreement or plan, ensure the context clearly implies a difficult or forceful negotiation process. Avoid using it when a gentler, more collaborative approach was involved.

Common error

Avoid using "it was hammered" in contexts where a negative connotation is inappropriate. While suitable for describing harsh criticism or a decisive defeat, it's less fitting for neutral or positive situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was hammered" functions as a passive construction, often used to describe an action performed on a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate that "it was hammered" can describe a variety of scenarios, from agreements being negotiated to entities suffering losses.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was hammered" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression with versatile applications. As validated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct. Predominantly found in News & Media, it describes situations ranging from forceful negotiations to severe criticisms or decisive defeats. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the context to avoid unintended negative connotations. When alternative phrasing is needed, options like "it was heavily criticized", "it was soundly defeated", or "it was finalized" can provide similar meaning with varying emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was heavily criticized

Focuses on the aspect of severe criticism or negative reception, rather than a physical or forceful action.

it was soundly defeated

Emphasizes the idea of a decisive loss or failure, changing the focus from forceful creation/execution.

it was decisively beaten

Highlights the thoroughness of the defeat.

it was roundly condemned

Focuses specifically on the aspect of public disapproval.

it was brutally attacked

Emphasizes the severity of the attack, whether physical or verbal.

it was finalized

Shifts the meaning to completion and agreement, relevant when 'hammered out' refers to negotiations or agreements.

it was severely impacted

Focuses on the negative consequences or effects experienced.

it was forcefully driven

Changes the context to one where an idea or point is strongly pushed or implemented.

it was rigorously shaped

Shifts the focus to the detailed and precise formation of something.

it was strongly emphasized

Highlights the act of making something very prominent or clear, diverging from the original forceful action or defeat meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "it was hammered" in a sentence?

You can use "it was hammered" to describe something that was forcefully created or implemented, such as "The agreement "it was hammered" out after weeks of negotiations". It can also describe something heavily criticized or defeated.

What's the difference between "it was hammered" and "it was negotiated"?

"It was hammered" implies a more forceful and potentially contentious process, whereas "it was negotiated" suggests a more collaborative and diplomatic approach. Choose the phrase that best reflects the actual process.

Is "it was hammered" too informal for academic writing?

While "it was hammered" is acceptable, consider the tone of your academic paper. In some contexts, a more formal alternative like "it was rigorously shaped" or "it was decisively influenced" may be more appropriate.

What can I say instead of "it was hammered" when describing a loss?

If you're describing a loss, you could use alternatives like "it was soundly defeated", "it was decisively beaten", or "it was heavily criticized depending on the nuance you want to convey.