under the hammer

idiomPart ofhammer

under the hammer — idiom

1. being sold at an auction, where an auctioneer announces the sale by hitting a de

1.idiom
Definition

being sold at an auction, where an auctioneer announces the sale by hitting a desk with a small wooden hammer

Example

The rare painting came under the hammer at Sotheby's and sold for over a million pounds.

A collection of antique furniture will go under the hammer at the local auction house next Saturday.