knock down
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle down
Meanings
Hit someone or something so it falls
Why “down”? Movement goes from high to low.
“He was knocked down by a car.”
“A cyclist knocked the boy down.”
“The storm knocked several trees down.”
Demolish a building or wall
“They knocked down the old hospital.”
“Workers knocked down the brick wall.”
Persuade a seller to lower the price
Why “down”? A level or amount becomes lower. This can happen to prices, sound, heat, or speed.
“Leo knocked the market price down by asking the seller for a small discount.”
“He knocked the price down by ten percent.”
“She knocked the rent down by fifty pounds.”
Don't confuse with
Knock down means hit someone or something so it falls. Knock out means hit someone unconscious.
Test yourself
“He was knocked down by a car.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
knock out
A contrast learners often mix up
Hit someone unconscious
bear down
Same down pattern: downward
Move quickly and threateningly toward someone
beat down
Same down pattern: downward
(of sun or rain) fall strongly and steadily
bend down
Same down pattern: downward
Lean the upper body downward
blow down
Same down pattern: downward
Cause something to fall by blowing
break down
Same down pattern: downward
(of a vehicle or machine) stop working; Lose emotional control and start crying; Separate something into smaller parts to understand it; (of negotiations or relationships) fail or end; Force a door open by hitting it; Decompose into simpler chemical substances
bring down
Same down pattern: downward
Cause something to fall or land; Make something lower in level or amount; Cause a government or leader to lose power; Make someone feel sad or depressed
climb down
Same down pattern: downward
Descend by gripping or stepping
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