go under the hammer
To be put up for or sold at auction. The banker's family estate had to go under the hammer to cover some of his mounting debt.
come/go under the ˈhammer
be offered for sale at an auction (= a sale at which things are sold to the person who offers the most money): The house and all its contents are to come under the hammer next Thursday.The person in charge of an auction hits the table with a hammer to show that he/she has accepted the highest offer.