knock out
Idioms-
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]
-
Make tired, exhaust, as in That sightseeing tour knocked me out .
-
Render useless or inoperative, as in The storm knocked out the power .
-
See knock off , def. 2.
-
See knock oneself out .
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Rebounding from dreadfully depressing injury news to knock out the NBA’s best rebounding team?
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026
Second, do we need to have the ability to knock out all of their missile sites in order to deter nuclear war?
From Slate • Feb. 3, 2026
This time, Tien needed only three sets to knock out the former U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 25, 2026
Faraaz, the youngest of the group at 22, was the first to be voted out around the firepit during the endgame, leaving Rachel and Steven to team up to knock out Jack.
From BBC • Jan. 23, 2026
He slapped at his pants, trying to knock out the dust.
From "Eleven" by Tom Rogers
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
