knock the socks off

Idioms  

1. Also knock someone's socks off.

2. Overwhelm, bedazzle, or amaze someone, as in The young pianist knocked the socks off of the judges , or That display will knock their socks off . [ Slang ; mid-1800s]

3. Also, knock the spots off . Surpass or outdo completely, defeat. For example, These large chains have been knocking the socks off the small independent grocers , or Our team knocked the spots off them . The spots most likely allude to target practice with playing cards where the object is to shoot through all the pips, spots, or marks indicating the suit or numerical value of a playing card, but one authority holds that they were used in a horse-breeding context and meant “to be in the vanguard.” [Mid-1800s]

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Example Sentences

A small team of astronomers and science outreach experts selected the images to show off the capability of the new telescope and to knock the socks off the public.

From New York Times

The pictures to be revealed on Tuesday were cherry-picked by a small team of astronomers and science outreach experts to show off the capability of the new telescope and to knock the socks off the public.

From New York Times

Do you need a Christmas appetizer that’s going to knock the socks off of family and friends?

From Fox News

I make a graham cracker crust that will knock the socks off any child, no matter how big of a smarty pants they are.

From Washington Post

The spot shrimp fishery gets underway on May 14 in many areas of Puget Sound and Hood Canal with thousands of anglers hauling in their pots full of these jumbo prawn-sized delicacies, and this week’s seafood recipe of the week by executive chef Pat Donahue of Anthony’s Restaurant will knock the socks off your guests at the dining table.

From Seattle Times