knock about

To be somewhere nearby, often forgotten or without a proper place.

• My keys are knocking about somewhere.
• We had an old radio knocking about in the garage.
• Are there any pencils knocking about in your bag?

How to use it: be knocking about somewhere (There are some spare batteries knocking about in the drawer.)

Similar words: lie around

Common phrases: knock about somewhere, knock about the house

To hit someone repeatedly or treat them roughly and violently.

• The bullies knocked him about.
• He was arrested for knocking his partner about.
• Don’t knock that old furniture about; it breaks easily.

How to use it: knock someone about (The gang knocked him about before taking his wallet.)

Similar words: beat up, batter, mistreat

Common phrases: knock about someone, knock about something

To move around without a clear plan, or pass from person to person.

• We knocked about town all afternoon.
• She knocked about abroad before settling in London.
• That story has been knocking about for years.

How to use it: knock about somewhere (He knocked about Europe for a year.)

Similar words: roam, wander, circulate

Common phrases: knock about town, knock about Europe

To spend time with someone as friends.

• We knocked about together at school.
• Who do you knock about with these days?
• He stopped knocking about with that crowd last summer.

How to use it: knock about with someone (She used to knock about with my sister.)

Similar words: hang out, socialize

Common phrases: knock about with someone, knock about together

To spend time in a place doing relaxed, unplanned activities.

• I like to knock about the garden.
• We knocked about the beach until sunset.
• He spent Saturday knocking about in his garage.

How to use it: knock about somewhere (We knocked about the house all Sunday.)

Similar words: hang around, potter about

Common phrases: knock about home, knock about the garden

To drink all of a drink, usually quickly.

• He knocked his drink about.
• They knocked a few pints about before supper.
• She knocked her whisky about and reached for her coat.

How to use it: knock something about (He knocked his beer about before leaving.)

Similar words: knock back, down, finish

Common phrases: knock about a drink, knock about a pint