FRASEOLOGÍA ESPAÑOL-INGLÉS: HAMMER

 HAMMER

A sledgehammer to crack a nut Matar moscas (pulgas) a cañonazos (balazos)

He owes you ten dollars only, and to threaten him with a criminal lawsuit is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut Te debe diez dólares, y amenazarle con una querella criminal es como matar moscas a cañonazos

— “… humans are much better at wielding a sledge hammer to crack a nut open.” New York Times, 2012. (COCA). US.

Between the hammer and the anvil Entre la espada y la pared

I was between the hammer and the anvil, either lie to my mother or to my girlfriend Estaba entre la espada y la pared, mentir a mi madre o a mi novia

— “And, realizing how he stood between the hammer and anvil of inner and outer fears, he went to find Kettle…” R. V. Cassill, Eagle on the Coin, 1950. US.

Hammer and tongs Con ahínco (rabia), con todas las fuerzas de uno

I have been working on this project hammer and tongs for five months He estado trabajando en este projecto con ahínco durante cinco meses

— “I have been going at this hammer and tongs for two years; it has been causing so much trouble in Eldon Avenue.” Borehanwood Times, 23 Oct 2003. UK.

Hammer something into someone’s head Meterle a uno algo en la cabeza

Hammer it into his head that he has to study Métele en la cabeza que tiene que estudiar

— “If anybody doubts your innocence, let him come here, and I'll hammer it into his head with my cane.” George Boker, The Bankrupt, 1868. US.