knock about

Verb

knock about (third-person singular simple present knocks about, present participle knocking about, simple past and past participle knocked about)

1. (informal, transitive) To hit (someone or something) all over repeatedly; hence, to behave violently towards or mistreat (someone or something).
   • It was known that he would knock his wife about when he had been drinking.
   • I never saw quite so wretched an example of what a sea-faring life can do; but to a degree, I know it is the same with them all: they are all knocked about, and exposed to every climate, and every weather, till they are not fit to be seen.1817 (date written), [Jane Austen], chapter III, in Persuasion; published in Northanger Abbey: And Persuasion. […], volume III, London: John Murray, […], 20 December 1817 (indicated as 1818), →OCLC...

   Synonyms:

   knock around, knock round

2. (informal, transitive) To knock back a drink; to finish a drink.
3. (informal, intransitive) To move or roam around aimlessly; to be in circulation.
   • 'Oh, come, sir,' protested Greatorex. 'This account speaks of a few other specimens knocking about. Surely in a year or two's time this one couldn't be positively identified as stolen?'1927, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], Max Carrados Mysteries

   Synonyms:

   knock around, knock round

   1. (broadly, informal, intransitive) To live an unconventional life.
4. (informal, intransitive) To be present at or inhabit a certain place.
   • He [a hare] used to knock about here in Holleia, and they said he was nearly black. A good many were after him and had a shot at him, but they never had any luck, until this rascally Andreas came here.1881, P. Chr. Asbjörnsen [i.e., Peter Christen Asbjørnsen], “A Day with the Capercailzies”, in H. L. Brækstad, transl., Round the Yule Log. Norwegian Folk and Fairy Tales, London: Sampson Low...
   • [I]n the chart-room of the steamer Nan-Shan, he stood confronted by the fall of a barometer he had no reason to distrust. […] "That's a fall, and no mistake," he thought. "There must be some uncommonly dirty weather knocking about."1902 January–March, Joseph Conrad, “Typhoon”, in George R. Halkett, editor, The Pall Mall Magazine, volume XXVI, London: Printed by Hazell, Watson & Viney, →OCLC, chapter I, page 92, column 2

   Synonyms:

   hang around

   1. (broadly, informal, intransitive) To engage in a relaxing activity in a place; to hang around in.
      • I like to knock about the garden on Saturdays.
   2. (broadly, informal, intransitive) Often followed by with: to spend time companionably; to hang around.
      • I used to knock about with John when we were younger.
      • John and I used to knock about when we were younger.
   3. (broadly, informal, intransitive, usually in present participial form) To be mislaid in a place.
      • I’ve got some scissors knocking about in the kitchen.