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

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

There were plenty of polished, perfectly serviceable contenders, but little to knock the socks off.

From The Guardian

There were plenty of polished, perfectly serviceable contenders, but little to knock the socks off.

From The Guardian

And the company does so with a flourishing, buzzword-laden message which will knock the socks off many prospective customers.

From Forbes

With so much riding on our presentations—in sales situations, funding requests, conferences and career negotiations— why don’t we knock the socks off of audiences and connect deeply with their hearts and minds every time ?

From Forbes