E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Hammer.
PHRASES AND PROVERBS.
1
Gone to the hammer. Applied to goods sent to a sale by auction; the auctioneer giving a rap with a small hammer when a lot is sold, to intimate that there is an end to the bidding.
2
They live hammer and tongs. Are always quarrelling. They beat each other like hammers, and are as “cross as the tongs.”
3
“Both parties went at it hammer and tongs; and hit one another anywhere and with anything.”—James Payn.
To sell under the hammer. To sell by auction. (See above.)
