The phrasal verb "knock out" is predominantly used in informal contexts, often found in everyday speech and media. It is frequently used to describe physically knocking someone unconscious, often in sports like boxing or MMA, where a competitor defeats an opponent by rendering them unable to continue the match. However, it can also have figurative meanings, such as completing a task effortlessly ("I managed to knock out those emails before lunch") or exhausting oneself until sleep ("I knocked out as soon as I hit the bed"). In business and casual settings, it may refer to producing something quickly or efficiently. Although it's rarely used in formal writing, the verb's versatility across contexts contributes to its widespread use in informal communication.
B1
Intermediate
1. To make someone lose consciousness, typically by hitting them.
The boxer managed to knock out his opponent in the third round.
He tripped and hit his head on the ground, which knocked him out.
2. To eliminate someone or something from a competition.
The underdog team knocked out the reigning champions in a stunning upset.
They were knocked out of the tournament in the semi-finals.
3. To produce something quickly and efficiently.
The team was able to knock out ten reports before lunch.
She's really good at knocking out assignments under pressure.