knock back
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle back
Meanings
Reject an offer or proposal
Why “back”? Back creates distance or reduces progress. The change can affect a place, position, amount, promise, or plan.
“They knocked back his offer.”
“The board knocked back our request.”
Don't confuse with
Knock back means reject an offer or proposal. Knock over means cause something to fall by hitting it.
Test yourself
“They knocked back his offer.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
knock over
A contrast learners often mix up
Cause something to fall by hitting it; Hit a person with a vehicle, knocking them down
cut back
Same back pattern: distance
Reduce sharply, especially expenditure; Reduce the amount of something, especially spending
die back
Same back pattern: distance
(of a plant) lose leaves and branches above ground while the roots survive
draw back
Same back pattern: distance
Move yourself away in hesitation
drive back
Same back pattern: distance
Force an attacker to retreat
drop back
Same back pattern: distance
Move to a position further behind
edge back
Same back pattern: distance
Move backward in small cautious steps
fall back
Same back pattern: distance
Move backwards quickly, often in retreat; Use something as a backup when other options fail; Move into a position behind others
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