# knock down

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/knock-down
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. to hit and make fall

phrasal verb · CEFR B1

to hit someone or something with a person or vehicle so that they fall to the ground.

For teachers: to strike or collide with a person or object, causing them to fall over or be thrown to the ground.

- The cyclist was nearly knocked down by a car turning the corner too fast.
- The pedestrian was knocked down by a delivery van, though fortunately the low speed of the impact prevented any life-threatening injuries.

Usage: Separable; the object can sit between 'knock' and 'down'.

### 2. to demolish a building

phrasal verb · CEFR B1

to destroy a building or wall on purpose, often to build something new.

For teachers: to demolish a structure or architectural feature completely.

- They are going to knock down the old factory to make space for new houses.
- The city council decided to knock down the derelict pier after engineers determined that the structural decay was beyond repair.

Usage: Separable; often used in the passive voice when discussing urban development.

### 3. to reduce a price

phrasal verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to lower the price of something, especially after a discussion or during a sale.

For teachers: to reduce the price or cost of an item, often through negotiation or as a discount.

- I managed to get the shopkeeper to knock down the price by twenty dollars.
- After pointing out the minor scratches on the display model, she persuaded the manager to knock the price down further.

### 4. to drink quickly

phrasal verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to drink something very quickly, especially alcohol.

For teachers: to consume a beverage, typically alcoholic, rapidly or in large quantities.

- He knocked down two pints of beer before the food even arrived.
- The celebrants were knocking down champagne at an impressive rate as the clock struck midnight.

## Examples

- The storm knocked down the fence.
- The protesters knocked down the barricades to enter the building.
- The government knocked down the price of essential goods to ease inflationary pressures.

## Usage notes

- Teaching tip: contrast with 'knock over' (to topple something) and 'knock out' (to defeat or render unconscious); all use 'knock' but with different particles and meanings.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.