English Reference
Idiom idiom

knock some sense into


To reprimand or reform someone vigorously.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

I need to knock some sense into him.

CONTEXTUAL

He keeps spending all his money on lottery tickets, so I need to knock some sense into him.

COMPLEX

After witnessing his reckless behavior for the third time this month, she felt compelled to intervene and knock some sense into him before he caused permanent damage.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    abound in one's own sense

    To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.

  2. 02

    come to one's senses

    To reawaken after having lost consciousness.

  3. 03

    don't knock yourself out

    Don't overexert yourself (in doing something that does not require much effort).

  4. 04

    good sense

    Common sense; sensibleness.

  5. 05

    knock down a peg

    Synonym of take down a notch.

  6. 06

    knock for a loop

    To astonish; to stagger or overwhelm; to confuse or disorient.

  7. 07

    knock on heaven's door

    To die or be close to death.

  8. 08

    knock on wood

    To take a customary action to ward off some misfortune that is believed to be attracted by a presumptuous statement.

Last updated August 10, 2026