ˈhæm.ər aʊt
neutral
intermediate
- Base verb:
- hammer
- Particle:
- out
- Separable:
- Yes
What does "hammer out" mean?
To negotiate at length until agreement is reached
Examples
- The two companies hammered out a joint venture agreement.
- We need to hammer out the details.
- They finally hammered out a compromise.
- The team hammered out a solution during the workshop.
How to use it
Implies considerable effort to reach agreement.
Word order
Can be separated: 'hammer it out'.
Similar expressions
negotiate
work out
thrash out
finalize
Related phrasal verbs
- get out
To leave a place, room, or vehicle
- turn out
To have a particular result or end in a certain way
- go out
To leave your home for social activities or entertainment
- give out
To distribute something to multiple people
- bring out
To produce and release a new product, book, or album
- come out
To become known or revealed
Use it in a practice answer
Try "hammer out" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.