Bring down the hammer definition/meaning/etymology

Solution 1:

It's possible that the phrase bring down the hammer is a figurative extension not of a hammer that one holds with their hand and pounds either a gavel or a nail, but of a spring-loaded hammer in a flintlock firearm mechanism.

Searching early newspaper references to the phrase "bring down the hammer" finds references of the figurative sort in the question as early as 1884 and maybe earlier. Some of the literal uses of the phrase from that time period are referring to the hammer in a firearm of this sort.

the spring of the lock did not bring down the hammer with sufficient force to discharge the cap

• 1872 - The London Times, (London) 27 June 7/5 (paywall)

One of the points upon which the witness dwelt with special stress was the impossibility of Lietenant Sutton being able, under the circumstances described in the testimony to exert sufficient pull on the trigger of the revolver to bring down the hammer of the weapon upon the cartridge.

• 1909 - Altoona Times (Altoona, PA) 12 Aug. 1/2 (paywall)

However, I don't want to discount some indications to the contrary, such as figurative extensions that describe a literal image of a physical hammer being brought down on one's enemies. This clipping is some decades more recent than the ones cited above, but it walks a figurative line between the contemporary idiomatic meaning and a literal description of a hammer as a weapon.

The execution will be fundamenntally in the hands of the armed forces of the allies, with instructions to bring down the hammer of brute force upon the heads of any and all violators and repudiators of the peace dictated by the allies.

• 1918 - The Washington Post (Washington, D.C.) 12 Dec. 6/1 (paywall)

It's quite possible that the hammer of a rifle has no relation to the idiom "bring down the hammer," but considering its appearance in early literal uses of the phrase as a representation of enacting violence on someone else, it seems also quite possible that there is a relation.

Solution 2:

The hammer is what is used in auctions. The auctioneer - person conducting the auction - brings down his hammer, or 'gavel' - a special hammer or small mallet for this purpose - to signify that the price is now accepted, and the item is now sold. Hence the use of 'bringing down the hammer' to mean 'to close a deal, or to finalise something.'

When a deal is made it can be harsh but that is not the meaning of this expression, which I believe has been incorrectly explained on both Wictionary and Word Detective.

To bring down the hammer does Not mean 'to treat very harshly'! - it means 'to close a deal' - or to bring the final end to something, once and for all - for once 'the hammer comes down' - in a real auction - that's it! The deal is done, it's irrevocable - finito - no more discussion! End of story. No more offers - the item is sold.

That is why the auctioneer pauses at the end and asks 'are you done?' to the audience - inviting any more offers. If there are none, he/she gives a further warning that the deal is about to happen - 'going once - to the lady in the green hat!' (announcing the proposed buyer) - 'going twice - at 50,000 Euros!' (He announces the price she offered) and then lastly saying 'Gone! To the lady in the green hat!' As the auctioneer bangs the gavel down on the table loudly to show the item is sold.

That, is 'bringing the hammer down'. It means, to close or finalise a deal, or to finally end something.

I am guessing that in this era of Ebay, the original 'manual' form of auctions that take place in an auction hall, with real people, are perhaps less known! They do still exist, for art, such as Sotheby's, and Christies, and for property and more besides.

Here's a link explaining auctioneering terms: https://www.artspace.com/magazine/art_101/art_market/art_101_a_guide_to_auction_lingo-5558

I can't find 'to bring down the hammer on psychiatry's agenda' - please provide a link. It could mean 'to see an end to it, to conclude it, to make it draw to a close' - to - whatever 'psychiatry's agenda' - is, in that context.

Solution 3:

I always thought originally it was bird droppings from Innuit speak as in, that eagle will drop or bring down the hammer to you. Or similar was it from code talkers speaking mark for the pilot's trigger finger to lay the egg on the target nest.