Knock Meaning
Knock Definition & Usage
To strike or tap a surface, typically a door or a wall, to gain attention or make a sound.
Examples
- "She knocked on the door to let them know she had arrived."
- "He knocked three times before entering the room."
- "The mailman knocked loudly on the door and waited for an answer."
- "I knocked on the table to get everyone's attention."
- "The children knocked gently on their friend's door, hoping she was home."
To criticize or make negative comments about something or someone, often in a dismissive manner.
Examples
- "She’s always knocking other people's ideas without offering her own."
- "Don't knock the food until you try it—it’s delicious!"
- "They knocked the movie for being too predictable."
- "It's not fair to knock someone's work just because you don't like them."
- "The critics knocked the new album for lacking originality."
The sound made by striking a surface, often referring to a knock on a door or wall.
Examples
- "There was a knock at the door, and I went to answer it."
- "I heard a loud knock on the window and looked up in surprise."
- "The knock echoed through the empty house, sending a chill down my spine."
- "She answered the knock, expecting to see the mailman."
- "He heard a knock in the distance and thought it might be his friend."
To achieve or reach a certain level, usually in a context of success or overcoming a challenge.
Examples
- "She knocked it out of the park with her presentation."
- "He knocked off another item on his to-do list today."
- "They knocked the project deadline ahead of schedule."
- "I’m hoping to knock out all of these tasks by noon."
- "He knocked the competition out of the way with his winning pitch."
Cultural Context
'Knock' is a versatile word with uses across various contexts. It is rooted in Old English, historically referring to the physical act of striking or tapping. Its uses in modern English have expanded to include metaphorical and idiomatic expressions, often reflecting different aspects of human interaction—whether literal, as in knocking on a door, or figurative, as in knocking something out or knocking criticism.
The Knock That Changed Everything
Story
The Knock That Changed Everything
Lena had always been a quiet, introverted person, preferring the solitude of her apartment to the hustle and bustle of social gatherings. But one evening, as she sat on the couch with a book, a sudden knock at the door startled her. She wasn’t expecting anyone. Hesitant but curious, she stood up and approached the door, her heart pounding in anticipation. When she opened it, there stood her old friend, Mark, whom she hadn’t seen in years. Mark had once been the center of her social circle, but their paths had diverged after a falling out. The knock was unexpected, and Lena wondered if it was a coincidence or fate. Mark smiled sheepishly. “I know it’s been a long time, but I wanted to apologize for how things ended. Can we talk?” The knock had not only physically announced his presence but had also signified the breaking of silence between them. As they sat down to talk, the walls of resentment and miscommunication began to crumble. The knock on the door, once just an innocent sound, had now become a turning point in Lena’s life, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her relationship with Mark. The evening passed with laughter and tears, and by the time Mark left, the bond between them was stronger than it had ever been. The knock had done what words couldn’t—it opened the door to reconciliation.
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