knock out
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle out
Meanings
Hit someone unconscious
Why “out”? Awareness is like a lamp. For a time the light is gone: a person faints, or attention and memory fade.
“He knocked his opponent out.”
“The punch knocked the fighter out.”
Don't confuse with
Knock out means hit someone so they cannot stay awake. Knock in means hit something so it goes into a surface.
Test yourself
“He knocked his opponent out.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
knock in
A contrast learners often mix up
Hit something so it goes into a surface
black out
Same out pattern: losing awareness
Lose consciousness briefly
blank out
Same out pattern: losing awareness
Suddenly fail to remember or think of something
pass out
Same out pattern: losing awareness
Distribute around a group; Lose consciousness
space out
Same out pattern: losing awareness
Lose focus and start daydreaming
tune out
Same out pattern: losing awareness
Stop paying attention to a sound, message, or event
zone out
Same out pattern: losing awareness
Stop paying attention because you are tired or distracted
knock about
Same base verb: knock
Travel or move around in various places
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