knockdown

[ nok-doun ]
See synonyms for knockdown on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. capable of knocking something down; overwhelming; irresistible: a knockdown blow.

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

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

noun
  1. a knockdown object.

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

  1. something that fells or overwhelms.

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

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

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

Origin of knockdown

1
First recorded in 1680–90; adj., noun use of verb phrase knock down

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use knockdown in a sentence

  • But you've taken a knock-down blow in a sporting way, and I want to do the thing handsome.

    The Everlasting Arms | Joseph Hocking
  • If he had a little more force he would be able to knock down sinners better.

  • To pull down a wall was nothing, but to knock down the sentry was a more formidable thing.

    The Cradle of Mankind | W.A. Wigram
  • "They look as if their legs were going to knock down all the fence posts on the farm," he exclaimed.

    The Tale of Pony Twinkleheels | Arthur Scott Bailey
  • Sam Clemens, himself a practical joker in his youth, found a healthy delight in this knock-down humor of the Comstock.

British Dictionary definitions for knock down

knock down

verb(tr, adverb)
  1. to strike to the ground with a blow, as in boxing

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

  1. to demolish

  2. to dismantle, for ease of transport

  3. informal to reduce (a price, etc)

  4. Australian slang to spend (a cheque)

  5. Australian slang to drink

adjectiveknockdown (prenominal)
  1. overwhelming; powerful: a knockdown blow

  2. mainly British cheap: I got the table at a knockdown price

  1. easily dismantled: knockdown furniture

nounknockdown
  1. US and Australian slang an introduction: will 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

knockdown

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

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.