under the hammer

Idioms  

1. For sale, as in These paintings and Oriental rugs must come under the hammer if we're to pay the mortgage. This expression alludes to the auctioneer's hammer, which is rapped to indicate a completed transaction. [Mid-1800s]

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Example Sentences

Later in the week, on June 4, Julien's Auctions will put nearly 200 pieces of Monroe memorabilia under the hammer as part of its special "100 Years of Marilyn" sale.

From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026

The item, which goes under the hammer in Penshurst later this month, was awarded to the engineer of a steamship responsible for saving more than 700 of the stricken ocean liner's passengers in April 1912.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

Items from Phyllis Rice, the former housekeeper of Christie's holiday home Greenway House in Devon, will go under the hammer at Wessex Auction Rooms in Chippenham, Wiltshire, on Friday.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

Items from a range of films and TV series have been going under the hammer in an auction in London which lasts until Sunday.

From BBC • Dec. 6, 2025

He knew that revolvers of this particular model had a penchant for accidental discharge when bumped or dropped, so he loaded it with only five cartridges and kept the empty chamber under the hammer.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson