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.
England remained unconvincing with the bat in posting 146-9 but their bowlers took full advantage of a tricky surface to knock over their hosts for 95.
From BBC • Feb. 22, 2026
Like clockwork on trash day, bears come through and knock over cans, Peters said.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2025
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
The kitchen was so dark I walked slowly, my hands feeling in front of me so I wouldn’t bump into the table or knock over a pitcher on the sideboard.
From "Chains" by Laurie Halse Anderson
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.
