take a hammering
1. To be thoroughly beaten or thrashed. My younger brother was always a shy, skinny kid who often took a hammering from schoolyard bullies.
2. To be soundly defeated or bested; to lose by a wide margin. Their team's inexperience showed on the pitch today, as they took a hammering from the powerful squad from New Zealand.
3. To suffer severe losses or setbacks. The stock market took a hammering over the weekend after fears of Greece's exit from the Eurozone. My efforts to get my PhD have taken a hammering over the last couple of years, but I'm still determined to see it through.
4. To be very strongly rebuked, criticized, or condemned. The giant supermarket chain has taken a hammering lately over allegations that they've been threatening local shops and markets. Mark sure took a hammering because of that prank he pulled in class yesterday.