put the hammer down

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put the hammer down (third-person singular simple present puts the hammer down, present participle putting the hammer down, simple past and past participle put the hammer down)

1. (idiomatic) To drive quickly; to step on the accelerator.

   Synonym: lay the hammer down

   • 1975, C. W. McCall, Convoy:

     I says, "Pig Pen this here's the Rubber Duck and I'm about to put the hammer down."

   • 1994, Meat Loaf (singer) and Jim Steinman (lyrics), "Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are":

     She always put the top up and the hammer down.