KNOCK ABOUT/AROUND – 1) to discuss something or exchange ideas casually; 2) to beat someone or treat someone in a brutal way; 3) to be or walk somewhere without a purpose
Fred knocked his wife about (2)! They seemed to be the perfect family. She left her husband and now she’s knocking about (3) somewhere. I pity this woman! That's why I wanted to knock an idea about (1): maybe we'll let her live with us until she finds some shelter to stay.
KNOCK BACK – 1) to drink an alcoholic beverage quickly and usually in a large amount; 2) to cost a particular amount of money; 3) to shock or surprise someone unpleasantly; 4) to make some damage or prevent from making any progress or success
Tod knocked the fourth shot of whiskey back (1) and put his head down. The new equipment he ordered just two weeks ago went out of service. Repair work would knock him back (2) a round sum of money. He didn’t expect this to happen, so this situation knocked Tod back (3). But among the consequences of unexpected equipment failure was also the fact that it would knock manufacturing back (4) and Tod would lose even more money.
KNOCK IT OFF! – a request or order to stop doing something that annoys you
Knock it off, Dennis! You’re always gluing my slippers to the floor, saying that it’s just a prank! It’s not funny anymore!
KNOCK OFF – 1) to finish your work for a day; 2) to steal something or rob a place; 3) to kill someone; 4) to quickly make a copy, usually of bad quality; 5) to reduce time, level or amount of money;
“What’s up, Francisco? You knocked off (1) early tonight”
“Yup. I knocked off (2) 3 banks. That was an easy job”
“Three? That’s … impressive. What about security?”
“Knocked them off (3) without any noise. And what about you?”
“Naah, nothing interesting. Today I knocked off (4) several passports for our old clients, but they demanded to knock 10 percent off (5) the total price. Greedy bastards!”
KNOCK OUT – 1) to destroy or put something out of action; 2) to make a person unconscious; 3) to defeat someone in a game, competition etc.; 4) to impress or shock someone very much
Tigers knocked our radio communication means out (1), so I couldn’t report to my leader about their plan. Jordan knocked me out (2) in the third quarter of the military training operation. When I woke up, I was told that Tigers knocked my team out (3) and this news knocked me out (4). We totally screwed up!
KNOCK TOGETHER – 1) to construct, produce, make or assemble something quickly; 2) to strike things against each other; 3) to join two rooms or houses that previously were separated (for ex. by removing separating wall)
Jess and Lucie knocked a quick dinner together (1) and sat at the table. They knocked their mugs together (2) to celebrate the beginning of their life as a couple. Jess didn’t even have to move: she lived next door to Lucie and they just knocked their apartments together (3).
KNOCK DOWN –1) to decrease an amount, level etc.; 2) to disassemble something, destroy or demolish; 3) to strike someone and make them fall (or cause any injury or even death)
Jose Gonzalez was very absent-minded the last few days. He couldn’t find a buyer for his old house. He had nothing to do but to knock the price down (1) or knock the building down (2) and use the land instead. Jose was lost in his thoughts and didn’t notice a car moving towards him. He was almost knocked down (3) but, fortunately, a driver managed to stop just in front of the man.
KNOCK OVER – 1) to strike something or someone or brush against them and make them fall down; 2) to steal something
Hey, listen to me! You have to knock this dude over (1) and knock his wallet over (2) while pretending to help him to get up.
KNOCK UP –1) to make pregnant; 2) to make or assemble something quickly; 3) to wake someone up by knocking on the door
Poor Margie! She got knocked up (1) and her boyfriend left her! I knocked up (2) some eggs and made coffee. Please, knock Margie up (3), she’d better stop crying and eat.
Test your knowledge of phrasal verbs with 'knock' here: