knock down

To hit a person or thing so that they fall to the ground.

• Do not knock down the cans.
• A cyclist nearly knocked me down.
• The wind knocked down several trees last night.

How to use it: knock someone/something down (The ball knocked two cans down.)

Similar words: knock over, topple

Common phrases: knock someone down, knock down something, knock down a can

To destroy a building or other structure, usually deliberately.

• They will knock down the old house.
• We knocked the garden wall down last year.
• Why are they knocking down that school?

How to use it: knock something down (They knocked the empty factory down.)

Similar words: demolish, tear down, pull down

Opposites: build

Common phrases: knock down a building, knock down a wall, knock down something

To make a price lower.

• Can you knock down the price?
• She knocked it down to twenty euros.
• The shop has knocked down prices on old stock.

How to use it: knock something down to something (The seller knocked the price down to fifty dollars.); knock something down by something (They knocked the price down by ten pounds.)

Similar words: reduce, lower, cut

Opposites: raise

Common phrases: knock down prices, knock something down

To reject a decision or reduce what it allows or requires.

• The court knocked down the award.
• Their decision was knocked down on appeal.
• The judge knocked the damages down to a smaller amount.

How to use it: knock something down to something (The judge knocked the award down to ten thousand dollars.)

Similar words: overturn, overrule

Opposites: uphold

Common phrases: knock down awards, knock something down

To drink something very quickly, usually alcohol.

• He knocked down two beers.
• They were knocking down pints at the bar.
• She knocked down her drink and left.

How to use it: knock down something (He knocked down a glass of beer.)

Similar words: down, knock back

Common phrases: knock down beers, knock down pints

To take something apart so it is easier to send or carry.

• They knock down the tables before shipping.
• The shelves were knocked down and packed in boxes.
• Can this machine be knocked down for transport?

How to use it: knock something down for something (We knock the desks down for shipping.)

Similar words: disassemble, take apart

Opposites: assemble

Common phrases: knock down furniture, knock something down