knocks

Noun

knock (countable and uncountable, plural knocks)

1. An abrupt rapping sound, as from an impact of a hard object against wood.
   • It came to me, like a knock on the door / Erasing all that had gone before / Broken wings can be mended / But this love of ours, we've got to defend it1976, Ashford & Simpson, “It Came To Me”, in Come As You Are
2. A sharp impact.
   • He took a knock on the head.
3. (figuratively, informal) A criticism.
   • Since forming in 2007 Mumford & Sons have hard-toured their way to a vast market for throaty folk that's strong on banjo and bass drum. They have released two enormous albums. But, wow, do they take some knocks back home.2012 November 15, Tom Lamont, “How Mumford & Sons became the biggest band in the world”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 29 Nov 2022
4. (figuratively, informal) A blow or setback.
   • "Come on!" cried Mr. Beaver, who was almost dancing with delight. "Come and see! This is a nasty knock for the Witch! It looks as if her power was already crumbling."1950, C. S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
5. (uncountable) Preignition, a type of abnormal combustion occurring in spark ignition engines caused by self-ignition; also, the characteristic knocking sound associated with it.
6. (slang) A batsman's innings.
   • He had a good knock and scored well.

See all 25 meanings of knock