knock out

1. Render useless or inoperative, as in The storm knocked out the power .

2. See knock oneself out .

3. Make tired, exhaust, as in That sightseeing tour knocked me out .

4. See knock off , def. 2.

5. Also, knock out cold . Render unconscious by a blow or some other means. For example, It was just a swinging door, but it knocked her out , or Just one of those sleeping pills can knock you out cold . [Late 1500s]

Example Sentences

More millions were spent trying to knock out Democratic candidates in four states, and to oppose gay marriage in California.

From The Daily Beast

Before this arrived they had managed to knock-out a third of the missiles before they reached London.

From The Daily Beast

Muscle cramps can even knock out athletes in peak condition.

From The Daily Beast

But could sharp elbows and a touchy personality knock out this frontrunner too?

From The Daily Beast

A lieutenant commander in the Navy, he was knock-out handsome with a smile that would melt a glacier.

From The Daily Beast

The sure-enough, knock-out round was fought at the rear end of our Pullman, which happened to be the last car in the train.

From Project Gutenberg

It's curious how an idea will sometimes lay hold of you and knock out reason and common sense and everything else.

From Project Gutenberg

If the sojers escape th' knock-out dhrops they come down-town an' Doherty takes care iv thim.

From Project Gutenberg

It struck Lasser's hand, paralyzing it, but it didn't knock out Lasser.

From Project Gutenberg

Concernin' fresh feminine fashions, you bet it's a reglar knock-out!

From Project Gutenberg