English

Noun

knock off ‎(plural knock offs)

1. Alternative form of knockoff
2. A device in a knitting machine to remove loops from the needles.

Verb

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

1. Used other than as an idiom: see knock,‎ off.
2. (transitive) To bump or hit so that something falls off

   Don't knock off the ornament with your clumsy arms.

3. (idiomatic, intransitive) To quit; stop doing work or other activity. The term originated from the practice aboard slave galleys to have a man beat time for the rowers by knocking on a block or drum; when he stopped, the rowers could rest.

   I think I'll knock off for the evening and go to bed.

4. (idiomatic) To kill someone

   The mobsters hired the guy to knock off their enemies.

5. (idiomatic) To reduce or remove

   They agreed to knock off 20% of the price.

6. (idiomatic) To rob.

   They decided to knock off a liquor store downtown.

7. (transitive) To make a copy of, as of a design.

   They send people to the shows in Milan for "ideas", which means knocking off the designs they guess would sell.

8. (transitive) To assign (an item) to a bidder at an auction, indicated by knocking on the counter.

Derived terms

Related terms

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