hammer out

verb

1. to shape or remove with or as if with a hammer

2. to form or produce (an agreement, plan, etc) after much discussion or dispute

Idioms and Phrases

Work out with considerable effort, as in It took weeks of negotiations to hammer out an acceptable compromise. This usage likens intellectual effort to shaping metal with the blows of a hammer. [Mid-1700s]

Example Sentences

An EU spokeswoman said that "intense work" was going on to try to hammer out a solution.

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Moore’s request is the first step in a lengthy process to hammer out a city budget that requires approval by the City Council and the mayor.

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He and his colleagues track down film footage and photos, reach out to officials to verify what they’ve found and hammer out a script for Torres to narrate.

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In one episode, she was allegedly seen negotiating for her energy clients in Brown’s office as the state hammered out details over a grid deal, drawing outrage from the watchdog group.

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The details of a $45 million trade more or less agreed upon in February 2007 took several months to hammer out, and the trade didn’t go through until early May.

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Related Words

• establish 
• negotiate 
• settle 
• thrash out 
• work out