iron hammer; metal hammer
Literal meaning: a hammer made of iron. Used in historical or descriptive contexts.
The blacksmith strikes the heated iron with an iron hammer.
crushing blow; severe punishment; devastating strike
Figurative use, often in the set phrase 鉄槌を下す (to deliver a crushing blow, to punish severely). Implies a decisive, harsh action.
See also: 鉄槌を下す
The court delivered a crushing blow to the malicious business.
His boss will likely bring down the hammer on his misconduct.
crushing blow; heavy blow; hard blow
Standard kanji spelling for both literal and figurative senses.
Variant kanji form; 鎚 is a less common character for hammer.
Compound of 鉄 (iron) and 槌 (hammer). The figurative sense derives from the image of striking with an iron hammer.