knock over
Idioms-
Astonish, overcome, as in Their resemblance completely knocked me over . [Mid-1800s] Also see knock for a loop .
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Steal or burgle, as in They knocked over one bank and headed for another . [ Slang ; 1920s]
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.
Like clockwork on trash day, bears come through and knock over cans, Peters said.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2025
We long for the days when we knock over the titans all in one season, but there's an acceptance that we'll fall off the horse from time to time.
From BBC • Mar. 13, 2024
The pachyderms' dung enriches the soil from which the plants grow; similarly, as they feed and go about their day-to-day business, the elephants knock over trees and disperse seeds.
From Salon • Feb. 6, 2024
It released footage showing troops using bulldozers to dig up earth and knock over walls.
From Reuters • Nov. 7, 2023
I stumble as I stand and knock over a stack of metal bowls on the counter.
From "Invisible Inkling" by Emily Jenkins
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.
