suffered a knock

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suffered a knock" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has experienced a setback or minor injury, often in a figurative sense. Example: "The team suffered a knock after their star player was injured during the match."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Sad to say, within days, Archbishop Welby's authority suffered a knock.

Independent

Hollis suffered a knock to his knee that the joint never fully recovered from.

The Guardian - Business

"Liam suffered a knock on his thigh, Samson and Lee have calf issues.

The Guardian - Sport

Affleck had suffered a knock to his reputation after starring in the poorly received superhero movie Daredevil in 2003.

The Guardian - Film

Olsson had to be substituted after 55 minutes with an achilles problem and Fortuné suffered a knock to his ankle.

The Guardian - Sport

Landon Donovan has been away on national team duty, while Robbie Keane suffered a knock and was unavailable last week.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Courtenay Rattray, UN representative for Jamaica which suffered a knock-on cholera epidemic that spread from Haiti, said that Ban's address acknowledged "the gross injustice that has been visited on the people of Haiti and the moral responsibility harbored by the UN".

The Guardian

Players who suffer a knock that renders them unconscious for more than 15 seconds should be taken to a hospital A&E department.

WikiHow

It expects neighbouring Pacific Island countries to suffer a knock-on effect from flagging trade, investment and aid.Mr Hockey offered his own unhappy forecast.

The Economist

He only returned after centre Jack Reed suffered a head knock in the 69th minute.

The Guardian - Sport

Stand-in captain Brendon Goddard was solid with three goals before he suffered a head knock in the third term.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing injuries in sports contexts, consider using "suffered a knock" for minor, non-serious injuries. This avoids exaggerating the severity while still acknowledging the impact on performance.

Common error

While acceptable in news and sports reporting, avoid using "suffered a knock" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise language like "experienced a setback" or "sustained a minor injury" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suffered a knock" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to indicate that someone or something has experienced a minor injury or setback. Ludwig's examples show its prevalence in describing sports injuries or negative impacts on reputation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Reference

5%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "suffered a knock" is a common and generally accepted expression used to describe a minor injury or setback. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and frequently found in news and sports reporting. While not overly formal, it effectively conveys a sense of temporary negative impact. When writing, consider the context and audience; in more formal settings, alternatives like "experienced a setback" or "sustained a minor injury" may be more appropriate. The term sees high use in the media and sports domains, confirming its association with reporting of minor injuries and temporary adverse events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sustained an injury

Focuses specifically on physical harm or damage.

faced a minor setback

A more descriptive alternative to "suffered a knock", emphasizing a temporary delay

experienced a setback

Highlights the hindrance or delay caused by an event.

incurred a minor injury

More formal and medically inclined, emphasizing the injury's mild nature.

picked up a niggle

Informal; commonly used in sports to describe a minor injury or ache.

took a hit

More informal, implying a negative impact or disadvantage.

endured a slight blow

Emphasizes the adversity faced, though the impact is not necessarily physical.

received a jolt

Suggests a sudden, unexpected negative impact.

met with adversity

Highlights the challenging circumstances encountered.

was slightly impaired

Focuses on the reduced functionality or effectiveness as a result.

FAQs

What does "suffered a knock" mean?

The phrase "suffered a knock" typically means experiencing a minor injury or setback, often in the context of sports or other activities. It implies a temporary negative impact without necessarily indicating serious harm.

How to use "suffered a knock" in a sentence?

You can use "suffered a knock" to describe someone or something that has experienced a minor setback or injury. For example, "The team "suffered a knock" when their star player was injured" or "The company's reputation "suffered a knock" after the scandal".

What are some alternatives to "suffered a knock"?

Alternatives to "suffered a knock" include "experienced a setback", "took a hit", "sustained an injury", or "incurred a minor injury". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "suffered a knock" formal or informal?

"Suffered a knock" falls somewhere in the middle. While suitable for news reports and casual conversation, more formal contexts may benefit from alternatives such as "experienced a setback" or "sustained an injury".