hammerlock

[ ham-er-lok ]

/ ˈhæm ərˌlɒk /

a hold in which one arm of an opponent is twisted and forced upward behind his back.

Origin of hammerlock

First recorded in 1895–1900; hammer + lock¹

It was the hammerlock and he soon had the hunchback begging for mercy.

Mason of Bar X Ranch |Henry Bennett
When Fred had him tight, he caught one of Jock's straying arms, bent it slowly behind his back, and contrived a hammerlock.

Steel |Charles Rumford Walker
Pandit caught the fanatic's wiry arm and brought it behind his scrawny back in a hammerlock.

Think Yourself to Death |C.H. Thames
The business with Hammerlock Smith had taken more time than I had thought it would.

Nor Iron Bars a Cage.... |Gordon Randall Garrett

I turned around and I was holding Oswald trying to get his arm up behind him in a hammerlock, and I heard it click.

Warren Commission (7 of 26): Hearings Vol. VII (of 15) |The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy

hammerlock

/ (ˈhæməˌlɒk) /

a wrestling hold in which a wrestler twists his opponent's arm upwards behind his back