knock-shop

plural knock-shops

1. alternativeAlternative form of knocking shop.

   Prue's mind raced. "You mean, Harry Allway has a house at Ulladulla?" "More of a weekend knock-shop, from what I hear," sneered the old salt.

   1985, Alexander Buzo, The search for Harry Allway, page 140

   2 more examples

   Wits is voyeur to the underbelly of the city; like a madam in a knock-shop, she watches equivocally the mess of city garbage tangled erotically with roadside gambling and sunglass-snatching

   2006, Mary Rorich, “Knowledge is Power, And You'd Better Believe it”, in Margaret Orr, Mary Rorich, Finuala Dowling, editors, The Wits Wonderwoman Book: Buttons and Breakfasts

   The other two doors lead God only knows where but Misty's knock-shop is just around the corner and our barman Adam tells us: "We get a few men coming in who don't want a drink."

   2008 March 10, Andrew Taylor, “La Strada”, in Sydney Morning Herald

2. informalA shop that does bodywork on motor vehicles.

   You may be completely uninsured, and so be tempted to take your car into an affordable backyard knock-shop.

   2018 March 2, “How To Choose The Right Panel Beater”, in Women on Wheels

   1 more example

   Delighted, we set about organising some 4X4 gear and purchased a second-hand Landy in reasonable nick which had to be fitted with long-range tanks, a roofrack and all the clever mod-cons. The knock-shop had nearly three months to do it.

   2004, I'm Alright Jack: Bush Tales II, page 52