give somebody/get a hammering

get a hammering

1. To be thoroughly beaten or thrashed. Because my younger brother was always a shy, skinny kid, he often got a hammering from schoolyard bullies.2. To be soundly defeated or bested; to lose by a wide margin. Their team's inexperience showed on the pitch today, as they got a hammering from the powerful squad from New Zealand.3. To be very strongly rebuked, criticized, condemned, or punished. The giant supermarket chain has gotten a hammering lately over allegations that they've been threatening local shops and markets. Mark sure got a hammering because of that prank he pulled in class yesterday.See also: get, hammer

give (one) a hammering

1. To thoroughly beat or thrash one. Because my younger brother was always a shy, skinny kid, schoolyard bullies often gave him a hammering.2. To soundly defeat or best one; to defeat one by a wide margin. Their team's inexperience showed on the pitch today, as the powerful squad from New Zealand really gave them a hammering.3. To very strongly rebuke, criticize, condemn, or punish one. The principal gave Mark a hammering because of that prank he pulled in class yesterday.See also: give, hammer

give somebody/get a ˈhammering

(British English, informal) beat somebody/be beaten severely or easily; punish somebody/be punished hard: Real Madrid gave the other team a hammering. ♢ When I was young, I once stole some money from my mother. I got a real hammering when she found out.See also: get, give, hammer, somebody