Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Julie said the experience had knocked her confidence.
From BBC ● Jun. 6, 2026
Stock indexes had knocked down record after record in recent months, and tech stocks in particular were due for a pause.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 9, 2026
He told me ICE had knocked over the police tape during one of their advances, and no police or first responders remained.
From Slate ● Jan. 25, 2026
China's Wu had knocked in a break of 62 as he took the opening frame but it was largely one-way traffic after that as the Australian took control.
From BBC ● Dec. 3, 2025
The girls had knocked the scarf down over one eye and he was having trouble seeing where he was going.
From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
