hammerlock

American  

[ham-er-lok] / ˈhæm ərˌlɒk /

Or hammer lock

noun

Wrestling.

1. a hold in which one arm of an opponent is twisted and forced upward behind his back.

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hammerlock British  

/ ˈhæməˌlɒk /

noun

1. a wrestling hold in which a wrestler twists his opponent's arm upwards behind his back

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Etymology

Origin of hammerlock

First recorded in 1895–1900; hammer + lock ¹

Example Sentences

One night recently on ABC’s “20-20,” reporter John Stossel tried to put a hammerlock on the “sport” known as pro wrestling.

From Los Angeles Times

Together, they planned to take on Google’s hammerlock on the internet.

From New York Times

Some far-flung communities — Charlotte and Minneapolis, for example — have taken steps to undo the hammerlock of single-family zoning.

From Washington Post

They also hold a hammerlock on the conference’s No. 3 seed.

From Washington Post

The Americans had taken a 3-0 lead and put a hammerlock on the game despite having generated two fewer shots on goal than Slovakia.

From Washington Post