Knock sb down Meaning, Examples & How to Use in English

What Does “Knock sb down” Mean?

“Knock sb down” means to hit someone or something so that they fall to the ground. It can also mean to reduce the price of something significantly.

Introduction

The phrase “knock sb down” is a common phrasal verb in English that has more than one meaning. Most often, it refers to physically causing someone to fall by hitting or pushing them. However, it is also used in everyday language to describe lowering prices or offers. Understanding the knock sb down meaning helps learners use it accurately in different contexts. Whether you want to talk about a physical action or a financial negotiation, this phrase is very useful. In this article, you will find clear explanations, examples, grammar rules, and common mistakes to avoid when using “knock sb down.”

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: knock somebody down
• Type: transitive
• Level: B1 (Intermediate)
• Short meaning: to hit someone so they fall OR to reduce a price

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Knock sb down” is a transitive phrasal verb, which means it always needs an object (someone or something). It is separable, so you can put the object between “knock” and “down.”

• Pattern 1: knock + somebody + down
  Example: The boxer knocked his opponent down.
• Pattern 2: knock + down + somebody (less common)
  Example: The wind knocked down the fence.

When “knock down” is used with a price, the object is usually the price or offer.

How to Use “Knock sb down”?

You can use “knock sb down” when talking about someone being pushed or hit and falling. It is often used in sports or accidents. You can also use it when negotiating prices, meaning to lower a price sharply.

Examples:

• He accidentally knocked me down during the game.
• They tried to knock me down on the price of the car.

Examples

• The child was knocked down by a cyclist but was not hurt.
• During the debate, his argument completely knocked down the opposition.
• They knocked the price down by 20% after some negotiation.
• The strong wind knocked down several trees in the park.
• She was knocked down in the race but got up quickly.

Common Mistakes

• Incorrect: He knocked down me.
  Correct: He knocked me down.
• Incorrect: They knock down the price to me.
  Correct: They knocked down the price for me.
• Incorrect: The ball knocked down the boy.
  Correct: The ball knocked the boy down.

Differences / Synonyms

Knock sb down vs. Knock sb over: Both can mean to make someone fall, but “knock over” usually implies pushing or hitting with more force or accidentally.

Knock sb down vs. Take sb down: “Take down” often means to defeat someone or bring them down deliberately, sometimes without physical contact.

Knock sb down vs. Push sb down: “Push down” is more about using hands or force to bring someone down, while “knock down” can be from a hit or impact.

Common Collocations

• knock someone down
• knock the price down
• knock the offer down
• knock down a building
• knock down a fence

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of knock sb down:

• Knock Sb About
• Knock Sth In Sth
• Knock Off Sth
• Knock Sth In
• Knock About With Sb

Real-life Dialogue

Anna: Did you hear about the accident yesterday?

Ben: No, what happened?

Anna: A cyclist knocked a pedestrian down near the park.

Ben: Oh no! Was the person okay?

Anna: Yes, luckily, just a few bruises.

Practice

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “knock sb down”:

• The strong wind ________ several trees in the garden.
• He accidentally ________ his little brother while playing football.
• We managed to ________ the price by 15% during the negotiation.
• The boxer ________ his opponent in the first round.

FAQs

• Q: Can “knock sb down” be used figuratively?
  A: Yes, it can mean to defeat someone in an argument or competition.
• Q: Is “knock sb down” separable?
  A: Yes, the object can come between “knock” and “down.”
• Q: What is the difference between “knock down” and “knock over”?
  A: “Knock over” usually implies pushing or accidentally causing a fall, while “knock down” often involves hitting.
• Q: Can “knock down” refer to prices?
  A: Yes, it means to reduce or lower prices.
• Q: Is “knock sb down” formal or informal?
  A: It is mostly informal and used in everyday speech.