knock down

present singular third person knocks down · participle present knocking down · participle past knocked down · past knocked down

1. To hit or collide with
   1. transitiveTo hit or knock (something or someone), intentionally or accidentally, so that it falls.

      As I took the can off the shelf, I knocked down the one beside it.

      2 more examples

      He was out tomcatting one night / When he started a big fight / And a big policeman came and knocked him down.

      1977, Sonny James, “In the Jailhouse Now”, in Sonny James In Prison, In Person

      I won't surrender / I will fight better / You lock me out, you knock me down / But I will find my way around

      2012, Ingrid Michaelson, “This Is War”, in Human Again

      Synonyms: level, knock over

   2. transitiveTo demolish.

      We knocked down the garden shed when we moved.

      Synonyms: level, demolish, destroy

   3. informaltransitiveTo reduce the price of.

      They knocked it down by another £5, so we bought it.

      Synonyms: level, reduce

   4. transitiveusually passive voiceTo disassemble for shipment.

      The furniture is shipped knocked down, so assembly is required.

      Synonyms: level

2. To acquire money, especially illicitly
   1. transitiveTo accumulate money, usually through crime.
   2. transitiveTo embezzle.
3. To drink or party
   1. informaltransitiveTo drink fast.

      I love to go down the pub and knock down pints of lager.

   2. AustraliaslangtransitiveTo spend extravagantly for a celebration.
4. To choose, declare or approve.
   1. transitiveTo approve a drinking toast by banging glasses on the table.

      They click their glasses and knock down the toast.

      1954, H. C. N. de Lanerolle, "Well, Mudaliyar!" and Other Plays (page 179)

   2. archaictransitiveTo nominate (someone) to speak.
   3. AustraliaNew ZealandtransitiveTo introduce (someone) to another, especially to a woman.
   4. transitiveTo reject or override a decision.

      The judge knocked the award down to a half-million.

   5. transitiveTo sentence (someone) to prison or other sentence.
   6. transitiveAt an auction, to declare (something) sold with a blow from the gavel.

      The picture was knocked down for £50.

      1 more example

      The auctioneer knocked it down at £50.

      Synonyms: sell

   7. transitiveTo sell.

      She had to wait for the end of the sale before these matters were put up, and as the auctioneer was in a hurry to get the sale over, and most of the bidders had left, she got a full set of servant's bedroom furniture knocked down to her for five pounds[.]

      1950, Norman Lindsay, Dust or Polish?, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, page 74

5. datedrail transportTo send a stop signal to ensure a train is signalled to stop at the correct point.
6. transitivefirefightingTo reduce the burning of (a fire), as by cooling it with water or dirt.