knock aside

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "knock aside" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of pushing something out of the way or dismissing it forcefully. Example: "He decided to knock aside any doubts and pursue his dreams with determination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The object, as in the game of lawn bowls, is to bring the ball to rest nearer the pallino than an opponent's ball, to protect a well-placed ball, or to knock aside an opponent's ball.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the first period of a 4-2 loss Monday to Tampa Bay, Roloson made two frantic saves on a rush by the Lightning, sliding across the crease to knock aside a shot with his stick, then sliding the other way to smother a rebound shot with his left pad as he hung from the crossbar.

The New York Times - Sports

Just under eight minutes into the second period, with the Rangers up by 3-1, Dunham stopped Oleg Kvasha on a breakaway, then threw up his left arm to knock aside a blistering slap shot from the right hash mark by Adrian Aucoin.

The New York Times - Sports

There were uncompromising moments - Lee McCulloch and John Guidetti both treated opponents at times as obstacles to knock aside - but no suspense.

BBC

The world is harsh enough without having people knock aside a cry for help.

WikiHow

The other knock, aside from a bit of notchiness in the manual shifter, is a heavy clutch: I was testing a Camaro SS at the same time as the Genesis, and the Hyundai's pedal felt as tiring in urban stop-and-go as the Chevy's.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

She brushed past Lepailleur, knocking aside her arm with a kind of swim move.

The New York Times - Sports

Rodriguez knocked aside Lopez's left leg as he slid into the plate, clapping his hands.

The New York Times - Sports

Bates slid a backhand pass across the crease that Raycroft just missed knocking aside.

The New York Times - Sports

Amy Childs, just to see if there's any substance; I want my prejudices to be knocked aside.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Diego Gutierrez drove a shot from the top of the box that was knocked aside by goalkeeper Tim Howard.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "knock aside" when you want to convey a sense of forceful removal or dismissal, whether physical or metaphorical. It suggests a direct and decisive action.

Common error

While versatile, "knock aside" can sound too informal or aggressive in some professional settings. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "dismiss" or "disregard" when dealing with sensitive topics or aiming for a more diplomatic tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "knock aside" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, combining the action of "knock" with the directional particle "aside". This combination creates a meaning of forceful displacement or dismissal. Ludwig confirms its use in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "knock aside" is a common phrasal verb used to describe the act of forcefully displacing something or dismissing an idea or objection. Ludwig AI validates that it is grammatically correct and generally used in a neutral register. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and audience when using this phrase, as more formal alternatives might be appropriate in certain situations. Its use is most frequent in news and media contexts, with other applications in encyclopedias and wikis. Remember to use it when you want to convey a direct and decisive action, but be mindful of potential over-familiarity or aggression in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brush aside

Focuses more on gently dismissing or ignoring something rather than a forceful physical action.

push aside

Emphasizes physical displacement but can also imply a less forceful action than "knock".

shove aside

Implies a more forceful and perhaps less refined action than "knock aside".

disregard

Shifts the focus to ignoring or neglecting something, losing the physical action aspect.

dismiss

Similar to disregard, but may imply a more formal or considered rejection.

set aside

Indicates reserving something for later use, changing the original meaning of displacement.

overcome

Conveys the idea of surpassing or defeating an obstacle, which is a figurative extension of knocking something aside.

defeat

Similar to overcome, but is a more active sense of winning.

reject

Implies a refusal to accept something, rather than a physical or metaphorical displacement.

ignore

Suggests a conscious decision to pay no attention, differing from the more active sense of "knock aside".

FAQs

How can I use "knock aside" in a sentence?

You can use "knock aside" to describe physically displacing something, as in, "He used his stick to knock aside the puck". It can also be used metaphorically, such as, "She decided to knock aside any doubts and pursue her dreams".

What does it mean to "knock aside" something?

To "knock aside" means to forcefully move something out of the way or to dismiss something as unimportant. It suggests a decisive action to remove an obstacle or reject an idea.

What can I say instead of "knock aside"?

You can use alternatives like "brush aside", "push aside", or "disregard" depending on the context.

Is "knock aside" the same as "set aside"?

No, "knock aside" and "set aside" have different meanings. "Knock aside" means to displace or dismiss, while "set aside" means to reserve something for later use or to disregard temporarily.