being knocked for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being knocked for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate criticism or blame directed at someone for a particular action or behavior. Example: "He was being knocked for his decision to leave the company at such a crucial time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Pygmalion" (1912) shows Higgins and Pickering being knocked for six by the flower-seller, Eliza, whom they alight upon as their project.

The New York Times - Arts

At age 14, he recalls being "knocked for six" when his father, from whom he is estranged, called him "a dummy".

The Guardian

That we, as a society, once again have the energy to protest and dissent, is actually a hopeful sign that after being knocked for a loop in recent years we're finding our footing anew.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I was knocked for six for about a year".

The Guardian - Film

Strachey was knocked for six by Mallory on sight.

The Guardian

I'd been knocked for six by flu".

The Guardian

Larry Johnson is knocked for his lost leaping ability.

The New York Times - Sports

Smith was knocked for six when she first saw one.

The Guardian - Books

Jennifer Connelly and Gwyneth Paltrow have been knocked for wearing Balenciaga, a label acclaimed for its originality.

The New York Times

More recently they have been knocked for rises in wheat and corn prices.

The Economist

"The government was knocked for six initially and then responded with characteristic bureaucratic obscurantism.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "being knocked for" when you want to convey that someone or something is receiving criticism or blame, particularly in news or media contexts. It often implies a degree of public scrutiny or disapproval.

Common error

While "being knocked for" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing. Opt for more direct and precise alternatives like "being criticized for" or "being blamed for" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being knocked for" functions as a passive construction indicating that a subject is receiving criticism or blame. It highlights the recipient of the action rather than the actor. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "being knocked for" is a commonly used phrase to indicate criticism or blame, predominantly found in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and offers alternative phrases for different levels of formality. While acceptable, writers should be mindful of the potential for overuse, especially in formal writing, where more direct alternatives may be preferred. The phrase effectively conveys public scrutiny or disapproval, making it a valuable tool for expressing critical viewpoints.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being criticized for

Replaces "knocked" with the more direct and common term "criticized".

being blamed for

Substitutes "knocked" with "blamed", focusing on the assignment of responsibility for something negative.

receiving flak for

Uses the idiom "receiving flak" to suggest strong criticism or opposition.

coming under fire for

Employs the metaphor "coming under fire" to convey intense scrutiny or attack.

being taken to task for

Replaces "knocked" with "taken to task", indicating a formal reprimand or correction.

drawing criticism for

Focuses on the act of attracting criticism due to a particular action or decision.

getting stick for

Uses the informal term "stick" to imply negative feedback or teasing.

being reproached for

Substitutes with the more formal word "reproached", signifying disapproval or censure.

being held accountable for

Focuses on the aspect of being responsible and answerable for something.

facing censure for

Implies formal and often public disapproval or condemnation.

FAQs

What does "being knocked for" mean?

The phrase "being knocked for" means being criticized or blamed for something. It's often used when someone is receiving negative feedback or disapproval.

What can I say instead of "being knocked for"?

You can use alternatives like "being criticized for", "being blamed for", or "receiving flak for" depending on the context.

Is "being knocked for" formal or informal?

"Being knocked for" is generally considered neutral but leans towards informal. For more formal contexts, consider "being criticized for" or "being held accountable for".

How to use "being knocked for" in a sentence?

Example: "The company is "being knocked for" its environmental policies." This shows that the company is receiving criticism related to its environmental practices.