knight of the post
A known perjurer; a professional false witness.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Do not trust him, he is a known knight of the post.”
“A knight of the post accepts money to tell lies in court.”
“The lawyer refused to call the man to the stand because he was a notorious knight of the post.”
“The corrupt businessman hired a knight of the post to lie about the contract during the police investigation.”
“You should check his history because he acts like a knight of the post who changes his story for profit.”
“The judge dismissed the testimony immediately, recognizing the witness as a common knight of the post who sold his lies to the highest bidder.”
The term arises from the suggestion that such a person would possess an intimate and recurring familiarity with the whipping-post or the pillory. These were the standard locations for the public administration of corporal punishment, and a knight of the post was one whose frequent appearances at these landmarks made the association unavoidable. It is a title conferred not by a monarch, but by the steady application of the law to one’s back.
- 01
be left at the post
To be beaten from the beginning of a competition or race.
- 02
dumb as a post
Utterly mute; lacking the ability to speak.
- 03
far post
The goalpost furthest from where a cross is made.
- 04
from pillar to post
From one place, place, or thing to another, hither and thither.
- 05
keep someone posted
To inform (someone) regularly of the latest developments.
- 06
near post
The goalpost nearest from which a cross is made.
- 07
pip to the post
To overcome a strong competitor in a sporting event, especially by gaining a small advantage at the last decisive moment.
Last updated August 10, 2026