Knock back

Definitions

• discourage someone
  Advise against engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit

• consume quickly
  Drink something, especially an alcoholic beverage, quickly or in large quantities

Examples of Knock back

• After the long day at work, she knocked back a few drinks to unwind.

  In this example, "knock back" means to drink quickly or consume a large amount of alcohol in one go. In this case, she consumed multiple drinks to relax after a tiring day at work.

• The athlete knocked back two energy drinks before the race to give himself an extra boost.

  In this example, "knock back" refers to consuming quickly and in large quantities. Here, the athlete drank two energy drinks before the race to increase his energy levels.

• The boss knocked back her coffee and got straight to work.

  In this example, "knock back" means to drink quickly and finish something in a short amount of time. Here, the boss drank her coffee quickly and started working right away.

• The patient knocked back the medicine without any hesitation.

  In this example, "knock back" refers to consuming medication quickly and without any reluctance. Here, the patient swallowed the medicine immediately without any reluctance or hesitation.

• After a long day at work, Tom decided to unwind with a few drinks. He knocked back a couple of beers to help him relax.

  To "knock back" something, especially alcoholic drinks, is to consume them quickly in one go. Tom drank his beers rapidly, almost like knocking something back, to help him unwind and relax.

• In a rush to complete the presentation, Rachel knocked back a cup of coffee to give herself a quick energy boost.

  Once again, "knock back" is used here to mean consuming something quickly, but this time it's used to describe drinking coffee rapidly to provide an immediate energy boost.

• Mark had just finished his meal and wanted to clear his palate before dessert. He knocked back a glass of water to help cleanse his taste buds.

  In this example, "knock back" is less associated with drinking quickly and more with consuming something to perform a specific function. Mark drank the water quickly, presumably to help cleanse his palate and prepare his taste buds for dessert.

• The doctor advised Sarah to knock back a few glasses of water throughout the day to help prevent dehydration.

  Here, "knock back" is used less to describe drinking quickly and more to describe drinking frequently throughout the day. The doctor's advice was for Sarah to drink several glasses of water over the course of the day, not necessarily in quick succession.

Conclusion

The idiom "knock back" can be used to discourage someone from a certain activity or to caution them against it. It can also refer to consuming something quickly or in large quantities, especially when it comes to drinking.

Origin of "Knock back"

The origin of the idiom "knock back" is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the early 20th century. The term "knock back" may have derived from the action of quickly knocking back a drink, or it could be related to the idea of knocking someone or something back in a figurative sense, such as discouraging them from a certain action. The exact origin may be difficult to pinpoint, but the idiom has been in use for many years to convey the two different meanings. Examples of its usage can be found in literature and everyday conversation.