a couple of knocks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a couple of knocks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a small number of knocks, typically in the context of someone knocking on a door or surface. Example: "I heard a couple of knocks at the door, but when I opened it, no one was there."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General Communication

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Laurie Stone didn't respond to a couple of knocks on her wall.

The New Yorker

"He had little niggles and a couple of knocks, then the sending-off at Swansea was very harsh.

Independent

"He took a couple of knocks at the weekend and given his history in the autumn, we looked at it from a welfare perspective.

The Guardian - Sport

So far he's sung New York State of Mind, Movin' Out, 52nd Street – a most-moving tribute to a city that took a couple of knocks.

The Guardian - Music

A 21-year-old actor from Berkshire who took a couple of knocks before what one critic is calling a "star-making turn" in Albatross, a breezy new Brit comedy out on 2 September.

The Guardian

The Russians' formidable first team can, however - they load in 4.77sec, slightly unconvinvingly, and take a couple of knocks but take on the damaged bit of track impressively and slide narrowly into the lead, by only 0.04 from the impressive Latvians.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Mark Atkinson, save for a couple of knock-ons, was physical and fizzed his passes.

The Times

We took the pressure off ourselves after beating Wales and were comfortable with what we had to do from then on, which was win a couple of knock-out games.

The Guardian - Sport

"We tried to get one or two in on Monday and we thought we had them, but we've had a couple of knock-backs for different reasons," he admitted.

BBC

He played a couple of promising knocks and finally got decent rewards yesterday for some consistently threatening bowling.

Independent

The competition's in-form ruckman did all that despite copping a couple of facial knocks during the game.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical contact or minor setbacks, use "a couple of knocks" to convey a sense of mild impact or adversity.

Common error

Avoid using "a couple of knocks" when describing serious injuries or significant setbacks. This phrase suggests minor issues, so using it for major problems can downplay the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a couple of knocks" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb or preposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct and readily usable. It signifies a small number of impacts or setbacks.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

30%

General Communication

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a couple of knocks" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe minor physical impacts or setbacks. According to Ludwig, it's suitable for neutral contexts like news reporting and general conversation, though less common in formal or academic writing. While the phrase isn't exceptionally frequent, it is readily understood and conveys a sense of mild adversity or physical contact. Related phrases include "a few raps" and "several taps", which offer slight variations in meaning or emphasis. It's important to use "a couple of knocks" appropriately, avoiding it when describing serious injuries or significant setbacks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a few raps

Replaces "couple" with "few" and "knocks" with "raps", indicating a small number of light, quick sounds.

several taps

Substitutes "couple" with "several" and "knocks" with "taps", suggesting more than two light touches or sounds.

two light blows

Replaces "knocks" with "light blows", emphasizing gentle impacts.

a pair of bumps

Changes "knocks" to "bumps", suggesting minor collisions or jolts.

some thumps

Replaces the original phrase with a more generic term for dull, heavy sounds.

a couple of collisions

Substitutes "knocks" with "collisions", implying impacts that may involve more force.

two soft strikes

Replaces "knocks" with "soft strikes", conveying gentle hits or impacts.

a handful of thuds

Uses "handful" for a small quantity and "thuds" to describe the sound made by something heavy falling or striking a surface.

several jolts

Replaces with term conveying sudden jerks or bumps.

a pair of hits

Replaces "knocks" with "hits", suggesting impacts that could be forceful.

FAQs

How can I use "a couple of knocks" in a sentence?

You can use "a couple of knocks" to describe minor physical impacts, like "He took "a couple of knocks" during the game", or to refer to minor setbacks, such as "The project faced "a couple of knocks" but ultimately succeeded".

What are some alternatives to "a couple of knocks"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a few bumps", "several setbacks", or "minor mishaps".

Is it appropriate to use "a couple of knocks" in formal writing?

While "a couple of knocks" is generally acceptable, it's more suited for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise language like "minor setbacks" or "slight impacts".

What's the difference between "a couple of knocks" and "a couple of setbacks"?

"A couple of knocks" can refer to both physical impacts and minor difficulties, while "a couple of setbacks" specifically refers to obstacles or problems that delay progress.