Knocking
'nɒkɪŋ
Definitions
2 meaningsTo strike a surface, especially a door, with a series of taps to attract attention.
'nɒkɪŋ
To strike a surface with a hard object to attract attention.
She was knocking on the window to get my attention.
💡 Simply: Imagine you want to get someone's attention! Knocking is like tapping on a door – it's a way to say, 'Hey, I'm here!' or 'Can I come in?'
👶 For kids: To hit something with your knuckles to get someone's attention.
More Examples
He's knocking on the door, but no one is answering.
The rain was knocking on the roof, making a gentle drumming sound.
How It's Used
"He was knocking on the door, hoping someone would answer."
"The delegate was knocking on the door to the conference hall."
The act of striking something, usually with the knuckles, or the sound produced by this action.
'nɒkɪŋ
The act or sound of striking something.
There was a sharp knocking on the window.
💡 Simply: It's the sound you make when you tap on a door or a table – it's the 'knock, knock' sound!
👶 For kids: The sound when you hit something like a door to get someone's attention.
More Examples
The rhythmic knocking grew louder as he approached the house.
A sudden knocking woke her from her sleep.
How It's Used
"I heard a loud knocking at the door."
"The rhythmic knocking against the old wood filled the night."
Idioms & expressions
knock on wood
To say something to avoid bad luck, or to express hope that a good situation will continue.
"I hope I pass the test, knock on wood!"
knock it off
To stop doing something annoying or disruptive.
"The teacher said, 'Knock it off, class!'"
knock someone's socks off
To greatly impress or excite someone.
"The performance knocked the audience's socks off."
From Middle English *knokken*, from Old English *cnocian* ('to knock'), related to Proto-Germanic *knukkōną* ('to knock').
The word has been in use since Old English times, evolving from the action of striking to attract attention to various metaphorical usages.