v.
- strike a surface noisily to attract attention.
▸strike or thump together or against something.
▸(of a motor) make a thumping or rattling noise.
- collide forcefully with.
▸force to move or fall with a blow or collision:
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he knocked over a glass of water.
▸injure or damage by striking.
- make (a hole, dent, etc.) in something by striking it.
▸bring into a specified condition by blows or rough treatment:
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two rooms had been knocked into one.
- informal criticize.
-
(be knocking)
Brit. informal be approaching (a specified age):
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he's knocking seventy.
n.
- a sudden short sound caused by a blow.
▸a continual thumping or rattling made by an engine.
- a blow or collision.
- a setback.
▸informal a critical comment.
- Cricket, informal an innings.
Phrase
- knock it off
informal stop doing something. - knock someone on the head
euphemistic kill someone. - knock something on the head
Brit. informal put an end to an idea, plan, etc. - knock spots off
Brit. informal easily outdo. - the school of hard knocks
painful or difficult but useful life experiences.
Phrase verbal
- knock about
(or around)
informal - spend time or travel without a specific purpose.
- happen to be present.
- knock something back
informal consume a drink quickly. - knock something down
- (at an auction) confirm a sale by a knock with a hammer.
▸informal reduce the price of an article.
- US informal earn a specified sum as a wage.
- Austral./NZ informal spend a pay cheque freely.
- knock off
informal stop work. - knock someone off
- informal kill someone.
- Brit. vulgar slang have sex with a woman.
- knock something off
- informal produce a piece of work quickly and easily.
- informal deduct an amount from a total.
- Brit. informal steal something.
▸N. Amer. informal rob a shop.
▸N. Amer. informal copy something illegally.
- knock on
- informal grow old.
-
(also knock the ball on)
Rugby illegally drive the ball with the hand or arm towards the opponents' goal line.
- knock someone out
- make someone unconscious.
▸knock down (a boxer) for a count of ten.
▸informal astonish or greatly impress someone.
- eliminate a competitor from a knockout competition.
- knock something out
- destroy or disable equipment.
- informal produce work at a steady, fast rate.
- Austral./NZ informal earn a specified sum of money.
- knock something over
N. Amer. informal rob a shop. - knock someone sideways
informal astonish someone. - knock something together
assemble something roughly and hastily. - knock up
Brit. informal (in a racket game) practise before play begins. - knock someone up
- Brit. awaken someone by knocking at their door.
- informal, chiefly N. Amer. make a woman pregnant.
- knock something up
- Brit. make something hurriedly.
- Cricket score runs rapidly.
Etymology
OE cnocian, of imitative origin.
