bang on the door

USAGE SUMMARY

"bang on the door" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is most commonly used when expressing a feeling of impatience or frustration. For example, "He was so angry he started banging on the door."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

I would sleep with my brother in one room and they would come and bang on the door and my mother would shout: "What do you want from me?

The Guardian

The exception is "Love Shack," in which one of you gets to sing "bang bang bang on the door, baby" while the other raps "knock a little louder, sugar," and it's a shame SingStar didn't bother to include more true duets.

The New York Times - Tech

There is one place in the area that seems open, but when I bang on the door the employee is totally unhelpful.

Vice

"When you return from lunch or an appointment," she writes, "you either must call from a hallway phone (where there is one) for readmission to the workplace (when there is no receptionist) or bang on the door or wait for someone to come out of the elevator".

The New York Times

"I heard a bang on the door.

The New York Times

I didn't want to bang on the door".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Does he need chemical assistance to bang on the doors of perception?

The Guardian - Music

There are no intercoms there, you just have to shout and bang on the doors.

The Guardian

"I hear somebody screaming and bang-bang on the door," he said.

The New York Times

She bangs on the door.

The New Yorker

He banged on the door four times.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bang on the door" to vividly describe a forceful attempt to get someone's attention or gain entry, especially when the action is sudden or unexpected. For example, "Hearing a commotion outside, he ran to the window just as someone started to bang on the door."

Common error

Avoid using "bang on the door" when a gentle knock is more appropriate. The phrase implies a degree of forcefulness or urgency that might be unsuitable for polite or casual situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "bang on the door" is to serve as a verbal phrase describing a specific action. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable. It depicts the act of forcefully striking a door, as demonstrated in Ludwig examples like "They bang on the door, while a few go round the back to stop anyone escaping that way."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

14%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bang on the door" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe someone striking a door forcefully, typically to gain attention or entry. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is used across various contexts, from news reports to personal narratives, to convey a sense of urgency or frustration. The phrase's neutral to informal register makes it suitable for many, but not all, situations. Remember to consider the context and desired level of politeness when choosing to use "bang on the door" versus gentler alternatives such as "knock on the door".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

knock loudly on the door

Replaces "bang" with "knock loudly", focusing on the force of the knocking.

pound on the door

Substitutes "bang" with "pound", suggesting a heavier and more forceful impact.

rap forcefully on the door

Uses "rap forcefully" instead of "bang", indicating a series of strong, quick knocks.

thump loudly on the door

Replaces "bang" with "thump loudly", implying a duller, heavier sound.

slam against the door

Changes the action to "slam against", suggesting an impact with the entire body or an object.

strike the door heavily

Uses "strike" to replace "bang", providing a more general term for hitting the door.

beat upon the door

Employs "beat upon" as a more literary substitute for "bang", indicating repeated forceful strikes.

hammer on the door

Replaces "bang" with "hammer", suggesting the use of a tool or something similar to create the noise.

rattle the door loudly

Changes the action to "rattle", focusing on the shaking or vibrating effect on the door.

assail the door

Uses "assail" to convey a more aggressive or forceful attempt to gain entry.

FAQs

How can I use "bang on the door" in a sentence?

You can use "bang on the door" to describe someone striking a door loudly, often to gain attention or entry, such as in the sentence, "Frustrated with the lack of response, he began to bang on the door."

What does "bang on the door" imply about the situation?

The phrase "bang on the door" suggests urgency, frustration, or an attempt to forcefully gain someone's attention. It indicates a more aggressive action than simply knocking.

What are some alternatives to "bang on the door"?

You can use alternatives like "knock loudly on the door", "pound on the door", or "rap forcefully on the door" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever inappropriate to use the phrase "bang on the door"?

Yes, it would be inappropriate to use "bang on the door" in situations where a gentle or polite request for entry is expected. The phrase implies forcefulness and could be seen as aggressive or disrespectful. Use a phrase such as "knock on the door" instead.