battering ram

American  

noun

1. an ancient military device with a heavy horizontal ram for battering down walls, gates, etc.

2. any of various similar devices, usually machine-powered, used in demolition, by police and firefighters to force entrance to a building, etc.

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battering ram British  

noun

1. (esp formerly) a large beam used to break down the walls or doors of fortifications

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Etymology

Origin of battering ram

First recorded in 1605–15

Example Sentences

Two balls into Australia's Plan B, one that reduced the series' best bowler in Starc to a battering ram, Brook backed away and almost top-edged a catch to the fielder lurking at third.

From BBC

Most humans would rather be a doormat than a battering ram, regardless of the urgency or circumstance.

From Los Angeles Times

While leaning on a partner for support during the holidays is natural and even healthy, using them as an emotional battering ram is not.

From MarketWatch

Another group arrived, pushing an iceberg like a battering ram.

From Literature

Few artists can draw from both worlds, but they collided in her debut, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?—pillow-soft vocals and blown-out drums, singer-songwriter lullabies and sonic battering rams.

From The Wall Street Journal