Knock into a cocked hat

Definitions

• outperform or surpass
  To completely outdo or surpass someone or something in a particular area or activity

• defeat or overwhelm
  To defeat or overwhelm someone or something in a competition or challenge

Examples of Knock into a cocked hat

• Mary's presentation knocked the competition into a cocked hat.

  This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone or something has performed extraordinarily well, far surpassing the efforts of their competitors. In this example, Mary's presentation was so exceptional that it left the competition seemingly defeated or disoriented, as if their hats had been knocked off or untucked (a cocked hat is a hat that is not properly worn or fastened).

• The sales figures for the fourth quarter knocked our projections into a cocked hat.

  This idiom is used to describe a situation where actual results significantly exceeded expectations. In this example, the actual sales figures for the fourth quarter were so high that they thoroughly exceeded what the company had projected or anticipated, rendering their original projections pointless or irrelevant (as if the projections had been knocked off or untucked, leaving the company surprised or disoriented).

• The new product line knocked our rivals into a cocked hat.

  This idiom is used to describe a situation where a new product or innovation has rendered the efforts of competitors obsolete or irrelevant. In this example, the new product line introduced by the company left their rivals seemingly defeated or confused, as if their own products and efforts had been knocked off or untucked (leaving the rivals apparently disoriented).

• The soccer team's stunning performance knocked their opponents into a cocked hat.

  This idiom is used to describe a situation where a sports team or athlete has performed exceptionally well in competition, thoroughly defeating their opponents. In this example, the soccer team's outstanding performance left their opponents seemingly defeated or disoriented, as if their hats had been knocked off or untucked (leaving the opponents apparently confused or disoriented).

• The start-up's new marketing strategy knocked conventional marketing ideas into a cocked hat, achieving unprecedented success in a short span of time.

  The expression 'knock into a cocked hat' means to completely outperform or surpass something exponentially. In this example, the innovative marketing strategy developed by the start-up was so effective that it completely overtook traditional marketing tactics, rendering them obsolete.

• The pop singer's mesmerizing stage performance knocked the audience off their feet and left them wanting for more. In the end, the singer's outstanding performance knocked the previous record for the most number of standing ovations into a cocked hat.

  This idiom is usually used in contexts where someone or something surpasses an existing benchmark, leaving a deep impression on the audience or the observers. In this example, the singer's outstanding performance not only captivated the audience but also surpassed the previous record for the most number of standing ovations, rendering the old record obsolete.

• The Olympic gold medalist's performance in the final race knocked his competitors into a cocked hat, securing his position as the undisputed champion of the event.

  This example showcases the usage of the expression when someone excels beyond their competitors in a race or any contest, leaving their rivals far behind. In this example, the Olympic gold medalist's superior performance in the final race not only secured his victory but also rendered his competitors' efforts obsolete.

Conclusion

The idiom "knock into a cocked hat" is used to express the idea of outperforming or defeating someone or something. It can be used to describe surpassing someone in a particular area or overwhelming them in a competition or challenge.

Origin of "Knock into a cocked hat"

The origin of the idiom "knock into a cocked hat" is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the early 19th century. The phrase "cocked hat" refers to a style of hat that was popular in the 18th and early 19th centuries, which was often worn at an angle. The phrase "knock into a cocked hat" likely originated as a metaphor for completely outdoing or defeating someone or something, similar to knocking the hat askew. Over time, the idiom has become a common expression in English language to denote outperforming or overwhelming someone or something.