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

The initial talks are expected to focus on hammering out Israeli withdrawal lines and logistics of exchanging Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The two companies hammered out a new distribution deal a few days after the August deadline.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Complicating all this is the fact that there are many places where a deal is yet to be hammered out – most notably Canada and Taiwan.

Read more on BBC

They have apparently been negotiating with Republicans over the past few months to try to hammer out some kind of compromise — and they have gotten nowhere.

Read more on Salon

Next steps will include hammering out labor contracts for Yosemite and Sequoia and Kings Canyon, which can provide job protections.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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