Under the Hammer When something goes on sale at an auction, we generally refer to that thing as being under the hammer and we say that because the cost of the thing, literally, will be discussed while that hammer is brought down on top of the table. Now, let me explain a little bit. I'm sure in the movies and in your country, too you've been to an auction. A man stands at the front and he has a little hammer. And he hits the desk with it. So perhaps, for example, he's trying to sell something, let's say a computer. And he says, “okay who will give me 10 pounds for this computer” And then another man will raise his hand and say, ”I will give 10” Someone else will say “20” and the third person in the audience will say “40”. And this will continue and then the man will say: “Anyone else… anyone else will give me any more than 40 for this computer?” And if he doesn't get any more bids he will hit the desk with a hammer and say: “Sold to the man at the back, wearing the hat”. So, that is why we say under the hammer because the hammer will come down on the table when the final price is made. Now I'll give you a few examples, okay, about things being under the hammer: When you go to auction you can buy some very good deals which are under the hammer. Last week Winston Churchill's teeth were under the hammer. A set of four chairs and a table will go under the hammer tomorrow morning. So it just means they will be at an auction or sold at an auction. Under the hammer. It's a very very common phrase and you can expect to hear that more and more.