knocking 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.

   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...

   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.

See all 8 meanings of knock about