knock

I UK [nɒk] / US [nɑk] verb
Word forms "knock":
present tense I/you/we/they knock he/she/it knocks present participle knocking past tense knocked past participle knocked
***

1) [intransitive/transitive] to hit something, causing damage or harm

Mike had knocked his leg against a table.

a) [transitive] to hit something and force it somewhere

He knocked a couple of nails into the door.

b) [transitive] to hit someone very hard, so that they fall or become unconscious

knock someone to/off/over/down:

They knocked him to the ground.

The force was powerful enough to knock him off balance.

knock someone unconscious:

The driver had been knocked unconscious by the impact.

c) [transitive] to make a hole or space in something by hitting it many times

They knocked a hole for the doorway.

2) [intransitive] to hit a door with your hand or a knocker so that someone inside knows you are there

They walked up to the door and knocked loudly.

knock on/at:

I knocked on his door but got no reply.

3) [intransitive] if an engine or machine knocks, it makes noises that show it is not working correctly

4) [transitive] informal to criticize someone or something in a way that seems unfair

The newspapers spend too much time knocking government policy.

•

knock the breath/wind out of someone — to hit or throw someone, so that they cannot breathe easily

knock someone for six/knock someone sideways — informal to make someone feel very shocked or upset

- knock 'em dead

- knock something on the head

- knock your socks off

- knock some sense into someone

Phrasal verbs:

- knock around

- knock back

- knock down

- knock off

- knock out

- knock over

- knock together

- knock up

See:

shape I

II UK [nɒk] / US [nɑk] noun [countable]
Word forms "knock":
singular knock plural knocks
*

1)

a) the sound of someone knocking on a door

knock on/at:

There was a loud knock at the door.

b) a series of noises that an engine or machine makes when it is not working correctly

2)

a) an injury or damage caused by being knocked

a nasty knock on the head

b) an instance of knocking someone or something

The watch is built to withstand the occasional knock.

3) something bad or unpleasant that happens to someone

hard knocks:

Life is full of hard knocks.