Definition & Meaning of "[press|hammer] {sth} home"

What is the origin of the idiom "press something home" and when to use it?

The idiom "press something home" is thought to have originated in the 17th century, and it is a metaphor based on the physical act of using a hammer to drive a nail into a piece of wood. This expression is often used in the context of teaching or persuasion to describe the act of forcing an idea or message into someone's mind.