Knock-down Definition and Meaning
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Published on December 1, 2025
Knock-down refers to the forceful striking down of someone or something, often leading to a collapse or a dismantling. e.g., The boxer delivered a knock-down blow in the third round.
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Knock-down Definitions
To reduce the price of an item significantly.
The store offered a knock-down price during the clearance sale.
To strike someone or something so forcefully that they fall.
The strong wind was enough to knock-down the old fence.
To refute or debunk an argument or theory effectively.
His points were knock-down by the opposing debater with solid evidence.
To dismantle something into smaller parts for easy transport.
The furniture is designed to knock-down for convenient shipping.
To overwhelm or impress greatly.
The performance was so good it knock-down the audience.
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To cause to decrease in amount or intensity.
The new policy knock-down the noise levels in the area.
To forcefully remove someone from a position of power or influence.
The scandal knock-down the politician from his long-held office.
To strike with a disease or affliction suddenly or severely.
He was knock-down by the flu last weekend.
To earn or receive through hard effort or while overcoming challenges.
She knock-down a good salary after years of hard work.
To hit something so that it moves or falls off its base.
The cat knock-down the vase from the table.
Strong enough to knock down or overwhelm;
A knock-down blow
Knock-down Snonyms
Discount
To deduct an amount from the usual cost of something.
They offered a 20% discount on all shoes.
Flatten
To make flat or level.
The bulldozer was used to flatten the construction site.
Debunk
To expose the falseness or hollowness of a myth, idea, or belief.
The scientist worked to debunk popular myths about climate change.
Dismantle
To take a structure to pieces.
The team dismantled the stage after the concert.
Refute
To prove a statement or theory to be wrong or false.
She refuted the accusations with concrete evidence.
Overthrow
To remove from power, typically by force.
The coup attempt sought to overthrow the government.
Topple
To cause to fall or collapse.
The storm was strong enough to topple several trees.
Impress
To affect deeply or strongly in mind or feelings; influence in opinion.
She impressed the judges with her clear argument.
Disassemble
To take apart, usually for the purpose of repair or examination.
He disassembled the engine to find the fault.
Reduce
To bring down to a smaller extent, size, amount, number, etc.
The shop reduced prices to clear out old stock.
Knock-down Idioms & Phrases
Knock-down argument
An argument that decisively defeats another.
He presented a knock-down argument that ended the debate.
Knock-down prices
Extremely low prices.
During the holiday sale, shoppers can expect knock-down prices.
Knock-down the competition
To outperform or dominate competitors.
The new product knock-down the competition in its category.
Knock-down, drag-out fight
A very intense or violent dispute.
The board meeting turned into a knock-down, drag-out fight.
Knock-down recovery
A comeback after a defeat or setback.
The athlete made a knock-down recovery and won the championship.
Get knock-down
To be defeated or overwhelmed.
Despite their efforts, the team got knock-down in the early rounds.
Knock-down effect
The impact resulting from a previous action or event.
The recession had a knock-down effect on the global economy.
Knock-down to size
To deflate someone's inflated ego or pride.
His mentor knock-down him to size after he became too arrogant.
Knock-down a peg
To reduce someone's self-esteem or status.
His poor performance in the match knock-down him a peg.
Knock-down barriers
To overcome obstacles.
The reform policies aim to knock-down barriers to trade.
Knock-down with a feather
To be extremely surprised.
I was so shocked; you could have knock-down me with a feather.
Knock-down blow
A decisive or critical hit.
The revelation served as a knock-down blow to his credibility.
Knock-down Example Sentences
Her argument was so strong that it knock-down all opposition.
The company planned to knock-down the outdated factory to build a new one.
The powerful storm could knock-down trees and power lines.
Critics were quick to knock-down his theory as impractical.
She was knock-down by the news of her job promotion.
The clearance sale offered incredible knock-down prices.
He received a knock-down in the first round of the match.
The team worked hard to knock-down the old shed in the backyard.
They managed to knock-down the fire before it spread further.
His performance knock-down the audience, earning a standing ovation.
After a fierce competition, the new product knock-down all rivals.
The scandal was enough to knock-down the politician's career.
The economic crisis knock-down stock prices across the board.
Common Curiosities
How many syllables are in knock-down?
There are two syllables in "knock-down."
How do we divide knock-down into syllables?
"Knock-down" is divided into syllables as follows: knock-down.
What is a stressed syllable in knock-down?
The stressed syllable in "knock-down" is the first syllable, "knock."
What is the root word of knock-down?
The root words of "knock-down" are "knock" and "down," each carrying their standard meanings which combine to form the phrase.
Why is it called knock-down?
"Knock-down" originates from the combination of "knock," meaning to strike forcefully, and "down," indicating direction, collectively describing actions where something or someone is forcefully brought to a lower position or condition.
What is the verb form of knock-down?
"Knock-down" itself is often used as a verb phrase, referring to the act of knocking something down.
How is knock-down used in a sentence?
"Knock-down" can refer to lowering prices, defeating someone, or dismantling something. e.g., The store offered knock-down prices to clear their inventory.
What is the pronunciation of knock-down?
"Knock-down" is pronounced as /ˈnɒkˌdaʊn/.
What is another term for knock-down?
Another term for "knock-down" could be "demolish" when referring to physical structures, or "reduce" when referring to prices.
What is the second form of knock-down?
The second form of "knock-down" is "knocked-down."
What is the third form of knock-down?
The third form of "knock-down" is also "knocked-down."
What is the first form of knock-down?
The first form of "knock-down" is "knock-down," used as it is.
Is knock-down an abstract noun?
"Knock-down" is not typically considered an abstract noun; it is more commonly used as a verb or adjective.
Is knock-down a negative or positive word?
"Knock-down" can be negative or positive depending on its context; knocking down prices is positive, while knocking down someone in a fight is negative.
Is knock-down a collective noun?
No, "knock-down" is not a collective noun.
Is the word knock-down imperative?
"Knock-down" can be used in an imperative form as a command, e.g., "Knock down that wall!"
Is the word “knock-down” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
In sentences like "He knocked down the old shed," "knock-down" functions as part of the verb, with "the old shed" as the direct object.
What part of speech is knock-down?
"Knock-down" functions as a verb and an adjective.
What is the plural form of knock-down?
As a verb or adjective, "knock-down" does not have a plural form. Its use remains the same in plural contexts.
What is the opposite of knock-down?
The opposite of "knock-down" could be "set up" or "raise," depending on the context.
Is knock-down an adverb?
No, "knock-down" is not an adverb.
Is knock-down a vowel or consonant?
The word "knock-down" starts with a consonant.
Which determiner is used with knock-down?
Determiners used with "knock-down" depend on its form and usage, e.g., "the knock-down price."
What is the singular form of knock-down?
"Knock-down" is used as both singular and plural depending on the context, typically not changing form.
Is knock-down a noun or adjective?
"Knock-down" can be used as both an adjective (e.g., knock-down price) and a verb (e.g., to knock down a wall).
Is the knock-down term a metaphor?
"Knock-down" can be used metaphorically, particularly in contexts like pricing or debates where physical knocking is not involved.
Which vowel is used before knock-down?
The vowel before "knock-down" depends on the preceding word; no specific vowel is commonly associated with it.
Which preposition is used with knock-down?
Prepositions such as "to" (as in "knock down to size") and "at" (as in "knock down at a discount") are commonly used with "knock-down."
Is knock-down a countable noun?
"Knock-down" is not typically used as a noun; when it is, such as in "a knock-down," it can be countable.
Is the word knock-down Gerund?
No, "knock-down" is not commonly used as a gerund; its verb form is typically in present or past tense.
Which article is used with knock-down?
The definite article "the" is often used when referring to specific instances of "knock-down," e.g., "the knock-down effect."
Which conjunction is used with knock-down?
Conjunctions like "and" or "but" can be used with "knock-down" in sentences connecting multiple clauses.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
