drop the hammer
Sudden decisive action
To drop the hammer is to take sudden, decisive action—especially to punish, enforce rules, or exert authority forcefully.
A judge drops the hammer when issuing a harsh sentence; a boss drops the hammer when firing someone.
The phrase evokes the fall of an auctioneer's gavel or the hammer of a cocked gun: Management finally dropped the hammer on unauthorized overtime.
- punishPenalize for wrongdoing
- lower the boomPunish severely and decisively
- no mercyComplete absence of clemency
- decideReach a conclusion
- enforceCompel obedience to
finalize · execute · deliver · resolve · determination · impose · discipline · assertiveness · ultimatum · authority · firing pin · judgment · recoil · accelerate · conclude · crackdown · demand · swift justice
- maximum effortall-out, full throttle, go all out, go hard, all in
drop the hammerease off
Become less intense
coast · decelerate · brake · slow down · lift
drop the hammerhesitate
Pause in uncertainty
hold back · pull punches · hedge · equivocate · waver
drop the hammershow mercy
Treat with leniency
let off the hook · look the other way · turn a blind eye · let slide · hold back
drop, drops, dropped, dropping, dropper, droplet, droplets, hammer, hammers