has been knocked back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been knocked back" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a proposal, request, or idea has been rejected or declined. Example: "The funding application has been knocked back by the committee due to insufficient information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The Diet Coke has been knocked back.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Azarenka was an irresistible force as she rose to No.1 in the early season but has been knocked back of late by health concerns, including a shoulder problem.

The New York Times - Sports

Their gambling has been fed by the knowledge that, if disaster struck, someone else borrowers, investors, taxpayers would end up bearing at least some of the losses.Since the era of frock coats and buckled shoes, finance has been knocked back by booms and busts every ten years or so.

The Economist

While Nokia, the leading Finnish company, has been knocked back and the economy has the strains shared by Eurozone nations, there is a fresh wave of co-ops: one new co-operative enterprise starts up every working day of the year.

The Guardian

"We have put in a bid that has been knocked back," he said.

BBC

The Canadian fuel cell industry has been knocked back by recent announcements from Burnaby, BC-based Ballard Power Systems and Hydrogenins in Toronto.

Fuel Cells Bulletin

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Nobody I've seen on Microsoft's Redmond campus during the last five years has been knocking back Jolt Cola and having squirt-gun fights as relief from 14-hour days.

Forbes

It was the industry minister who said the request had been knocked back.

The Guardian

"It seems like we've made some progress at times this season and we've been knocked back at times.

The New York Times - Sports

Idaho farmers have documented how their potato yields have been knocked back because their heat-stressed plants are not developing their normal number of tubers.

The New York Times

Having begun to develop in the 1970s and 1980s, it had been knocked back first by the collapse of the Soviet economy, then by the 1998 financial crisis.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been knocked back" when you want to convey that an idea, proposal, or effort has faced a setback or rejection, but not necessarily a permanent defeat. It often suggests a temporary impediment.

Common error

Avoid using "has been knocked back" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "has been rejected" or "has been declined" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been knocked back" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that a subject (an idea, proposal, or entity) has experienced a setback or rejection. Ludwig AI affirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

17%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been knocked back" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English, typically used to express that a proposal, request, or idea has been rejected or faced a setback, as confirmed by Ludwig. While versatile, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts, maintaining a neutral register. For more formal settings, alternatives like "has been rejected" or "has been declined" may be more suitable. Although not overly frequent, understanding its nuances can improve clarity and appropriateness in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been rejected

Focuses specifically on the act of being refused or denied.

has been turned down

Similar to 'rejected' but can also imply a gentler refusal.

has been declined

Implies a formal refusal, often in business or official contexts.

has been rebuffed

Indicates a more direct and forceful rejection.

has not been accepted

A more passive way of saying something was rejected.

has met with refusal

Highlights the experience of encountering rejection.

has been unsuccessful

Focuses on the failure to achieve the intended outcome.

has failed to pass

Common in contexts where a proposal or measure needs approval.

has not succeeded

Similar to 'unsuccessful' but slightly broader in scope.

has been overturned

Suggests a previous decision was reversed or rejected.

FAQs

What does "has been knocked back" mean?

The phrase "has been knocked back" means something has been rejected, refused, or suffered a setback. It implies a temporary impediment rather than a complete failure.

What can I say instead of "has been knocked back"?

You can use alternatives like "has been rejected", "has been turned down", or "has been declined" depending on the context.

Is "has been knocked back" too informal for academic writing?

While "has been knocked back" is acceptable, it might be perceived as less formal. In academic writing, consider using "has been rejected" or "has been declined".

Can "has been knocked back" imply a chance of future success?

Yes, the phrase often suggests a temporary setback, implying that there might be a chance to resubmit or revise the proposal for future consideration, unlike a definitive rejection.