knock off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "knock off" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb to mean to finish something quickly or to end or stop something, such as work. For example you could say, "It's getting late, let's knock off for the night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Who will knock off Cher?

Independent

Hey buddy, knock off the aesthetics!

The New Yorker

"Oh fine, knock off early.

The Guardian - Film

That could knock off nearly $300 billion more.

The New York Times

He's the guy to knock off".

The New York Times - Magazine

I may just knock off early.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

He knocked off an ash.

The New Yorker

"But eyeglasses can be knocked off, too.

The New York Times

Toledo knocked off Cincinnati the week before.

The New York Times - Sports

(The latter knocked off two runners).

The New Yorker

Then it knocked off Georgetown, Purdue, Florida State and Kansas.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid ambiguity, clarify which meaning of "knock off" you intend based on the context.

Common error

Be mindful that "knock off" has several meanings, including 'to stop working', 'to kill', and 'to copy'. Ensure your audience understands the intended meaning from the context to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "knock off" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, encompassing various meanings depending on the context. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It can signify ending an activity, removing something, or creating a copy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "knock off" demonstrates considerable versatility, functioning across diverse contexts from ending work to identifying counterfeit products. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and enjoys widespread usage, though awareness of its multiple meanings is crucial to prevent ambiguity. While "knock off" is most frequently found in News & Media and general conversation, more formal alternatives may be more appropriate in professional settings. Due to its informal register, it is important to consider alternatives if formality is required. Ludwig AI's analysis and example sentences emphasize the importance of understanding the context when interpreting the meaning of "knock off".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quit for the day

Focuses specifically on ending work for the day, omitting other meanings.

cease working

Focuses specifically on stopping work, omitting other meanings of "knock off".

finish early

Emphasizes completing something sooner than expected, related to stopping work.

bring down

Emphasizes the act of defeating or removing someone from a position, related to the 'defeat' meaning.

take out

Refers to removing or eliminating something or someone.

eliminate

Highlights the act of removing something, be it a price or an opponent.

eradicate

Refers to completely removing something negative, relating to the 'eliminate' sense.

rob a place

Specifically refers to the act of stealing from a location, focusing on the crime aspect.

steal

Highlights the act of taking something illegally, concentrating on theft.

imitate

Concentrates on the copying aspect, common to knock-offs.

FAQs

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

You can use "knock off" in several ways: to mean stop working (Let's "knock off" early today), to remove something by force (He "knocked off" the vase), or to create a copy (They "knocked off" the designer bag).

What is a less ambiguous alternative to "knock off"?

Depending on the context, you could use more precise alternatives such as "finish work", "eliminate", or "imitate".

Is it appropriate to use "knock off" in formal writing?

While "knock off" is widely understood, it's generally more suitable for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "cease work" or "eradicate" for greater precision and professionalism.

What does it mean when something is described as a "knock off"?

When something is called a "knock off", it means it is a copy or imitation, often of lower quality than the original. The term is frequently used for counterfeit products like clothing or accessories.