PhrasesHub

Knock off

    Definitions

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

      • stop working
        To finish work or stop working for the day

      • steal
        To steal something

    Examples of Knock off

    • She asked me to knock off work at 6 pm, so I could join her for dinner.

      In this context, "knock off" means to finish or complete something, specifically work or a task. It's often used to indicate the end of the workday.

    • The sales are knocking off 50% for a limited time!

      In this usage, "knock off" is a slang term for discounting, lowering the price of a product to make it more appealing to customers.

    • The kids begged me to knock off the lectures and let them play video games.

      In this usage, "knock off" is a slang term for stopping a tedious, lecturing-style activity, in this case, lecturing. It's often used by kids to try and get their parents to let them have more freedom.

    • He knocked off a few beers at the bar after work.

      In this context, "knock off" is a slang term for drinking alcohol, specifically a few beers. It's often used in informal settings to indicate drinking as a way to unwind after work.

    • The school bell rang, signaling the end of the day. Students began knocking off their backpacks and putting away their textbooks, eager to leave for the day.

      The phrase "knock off" is used here as a synonym for "remove" or "take off." In this context, it refers to the action of removing a backpack from one's shoulder.

    • After a long workday, Sarah knocked off early to go to her son's soccer game.

      Here, "knock off" is used in the sense of "leave" or "depart." Sarah is essentially saying that she left work early to attend her son's soccer game.

    • The construction workers on the corner knocked off for lunch, leaving the site quiet and empty for a short while.

      In this example, "knock off" is used to mean "finish" or "complete." The workers are essentially saying that they have finished working for the time being and are taking a break for lunch.

    • Despite being exhausted, the chef refused to knock off until every dish was prepared and served.

      Here, "knock off" is used in the sense of "stop working" or "leave." The chef is essentially saying that she will not finish her workday and leave until all of her responsibilities have been fulfilled. In this context, "knock off" takes on a more forceful and determined meaning.


    Conclusion

    "Knock off" can be used to discourage someone from a certain activity, to indicate finishing work or stopping work for the day, or to refer to stealing something.

    Origin of "Knock off"

    The origin of the idiom "knock off" comes from the world of manufacturing. In the context of discouraging someone, it refers to advising against engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit. This usage likely comes from the practice of "knocking off" counterfeit goods, where they are discouraged from being produced or sold. The meaning of stopping work for the day also comes from this manufacturing background, as workers would "knock off" a part from a machine or assembly line when they were finished for the day. The usage of "knock off" to mean stealing something likely comes from the sense of forcefully taking or knocking something off its place. Overall, the origins of this idiom can be traced back to the manufacturing industry and the various connotations of "knocking off" in that context.