knockdown

[ nok-doun ]

/ ˈnɒkˌdaʊn /

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See synonyms for knockdown on Thesaurus.com

adjective

capable of knocking something down; overwhelming; irresistible: a knockdown blow.

constructed in separate parts that can readily be taken apart for easy storage, shipping, etc.: a knockdown toolshed.

offered or acquired for less than the prevailing rate: first-rate goods at knockdown prices.

noun

a knockdown object.

an act or instance of knocking down, especially by a blow.

something that fells or overwhelms.

reduction or lowering, as in price or number: The store offered a knockdown of 15 percent to its own employees.

Slang. an introduction, especially to a person: He gave me a real knockdown to the company.

Nautical. the capsizing of a small boat as a result of a strong gust of wind.

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Origin of knockdown

First recorded in 1680–90; adj., noun use of verb phrase knock down

Words nearby knockdown

knock, knockabout, knock back, knock cold, knock dead, knockdown, knock-down-drag-out, knock down with a feather, knocked-down, knocker, knock for a loop

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use knockdown in a sentence

I lost my first two races, but I learned that a knockdown is different than a knockout.
Congressman Hakeem Jeffries Poised for Power? Possibly …|Joshua Eferighe|May 4, 2021|Ozy
Yes, I know they’ve added Sami Whitcomb, that newly acquired Betnijah Laney became a knockdown scorer for Atlanta last year, that Rebecca Allen is expected back and that Sabrina Ionescu is pretty good at the shooting thing, too.
What Each WNBA Team Needs From This Year’s Draft|Howard Megdal|April 14, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
Reinvent cohost Adam Lashinsky describes Lyft as “the company with nine lives” that continuously faces “these knockdown moments” but keeps getting back up.
How Lyft became the company with nine lives|Beth Kowitt|October 26, 2020|Fortune
I bought a number of knockdown chairs in Chicago all made by hand for $125 and sold them for much more.
Old Rail Fence Corners|Various

But—well, I knocked him down on deck a short time back, and the knockdown stands; but they would not allow a finish.
The Wreck of the Titan|Morgan Robertson
He comes up again after every knockdown, as fresh as a daisy.
Fast Nine|Alan Douglas
Toppy shook his head, like a pugilist clearing his wits after a knockdown.
The Snow-Burner|Henry Oyen
That pathetic old arm warding him off hurt him more at the core than a knockdown blow from a stronger limb.
A Scout of To-day|Isabel Hornibrook

British Dictionary definitions for knockdown

knock down

verb (tr, adverb)

to strike to the ground with a blow, as in boxing

(in auctions) to declare (an article) sold, as by striking a blow with a gavel

to demolish

to dismantle, for ease of transport

informal to reduce (a price, etc)

Australian slang to spend (a cheque)

Australian slang to drink

adjective knockdown (prenominal)

overwhelming; powerfula knockdown blow

mainly British cheapI got the table at a knockdown price

easily dismantledknockdown furniture

noun knockdown

US and Australian slang an introductionwill you give me a knockdown to her?

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with knockdown

knock down

Take apart for storage or shipping, as in We need to knock down this chest to ship it safely overseas. [Mid-1900s]

Declare sold at an auction, as by striking a blow with a gavel. For example, That was the last bid, and the first edition was knocked down for only three hundred. [Mid-1700s]

Reduce the price of, as in They knocked it down by another hundred dollars, or An overabundant harvest will knock down corn prices. [Colloquial; mid-1800].

Earn as wages, as in She knocks down a hundred grand a year. [Slang; 1920s]

Steal, embezzle, as in He was caught knocking down the box-office receipts. This usage may be obsolescent. [Slang; mid-1800s] Also see knock over, def. 2.