knock up

British  

verb

1. Also: knock together.  informal to assemble quickly; improvise

   to knock up a set of shelves

2. informal to waken; rouse

   to knock someone up early

3. slang to make pregnant

4. informal to exhaust

   the heavy work knocked him up

5. cricket to score (runs)

6. (intr) tennis squash badminton to practise or hit the ball about informally, esp before a match

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noun

1. a practice session at tennis, squash, or a similar game

knock up Idioms  

1. Make pregnant, as in The young girl said she was afraid of getting knocked up . [ Slang ; early 1800s]

2. Injure or damage, as in This coffee table got all knocked up in the moving van .

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

knock up

"Almost anyone can knock up a batch of scones, or fairy cakes, or a decent Victoria sponge, or even a Christmas cake without too much effort," Cloake said.

From Salon ● Dec. 10, 2022

You can preorder the 40mm configuration for $299.99, or the 44mm model for $329.99, and AT&T will knock up to $200 off if you trade in an eligible device.

From The Verge ● Aug. 11, 2021

Officials express confidence China can weather the latest trouble but forecasters say it could knock up to 1 percentage point off this year’s growth, which might fall to as low as 5.2%.

From Washington Times ● Feb. 4, 2020

Forecasters warn that with no resolution, the conflict could knock up to 0.5 percentage points off global growth through 2020.

From Fox News ● Dec. 28, 2018

“Well, Ou’ Baviyàan he look at young Baviyàan, an’ he weigh it all up an’ he won’er, an’ while he’s a-doin’ dat young Leelikie sort o’ knock up against dat sore tail of his daddy’s.

From Old Hendrik's Tales by Vaughan, Arthur Owen