"Under the hammer" is a well-known phrase often used to describe something being sold at an auction. The word "hammer" is spelled phonetically as /ˈhæmər/ in English. The "h" is pronounced with a soft sound, and the first vowel is pronounced as "æ" which is similar to the "a" sound in the word "cat". The "m" and "r" sounds are pronounced clearly, while the final syllable is pronounced as "ər" which is similar to the sound in the word "butter".
"Under the hammer" is an idiomatic expression referring to the act of an item being sold at an auction or being subjected to a public bidding process.
When an item is "under the hammer," it means that it is put up for sale or auction, and potential buyers have the opportunity to bid on it. The phrase originated from the traditional method of selling goods at an auction, where the auctioneer would hold a hammer or gavel to mark the final bid and signify the sale of the item.
The phrase has come to symbolize the intense and competitive nature of auctions, with bidders vying against each other to secure the item being offered. It often implies that the selling price may be determined by the highest bid received at the auction.
Being "under the hammer" may also connote a sense of urgency or pressure, as bidders are usually given a limited amount of time to place their bids before the item is sold. This expression is commonly used in the context of valuable or unique items, such as artwork, antiques, or real estate, but it can also apply to any object or property being offered for sale through an auction.