knock it off: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘knock it off’ mean?
The idiom "knock it off" means to stop a certain behavior or to cease doing something annoying or inappropriate.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "put a sock in it" means to tell someone to be quiet or to stop talking, usually because they are being annoying or loud.
The idiom "put a sock in it" is commonly used in American English to tell someone to be quiet or to stop talking. The exact origin of this idiom is unclear, but there are several theories and possibilities.
Meaning: To stop or cease doing something or to end an activity or behavior.
This idiom is commonly used to indicate the act of discontinuing or putting an end to a particular action or behavior.
The idiom "knock out" means to defeat someone in a competition or fight, or to exhaust someone physically or emotionally.
The idiom "knock down" means to forcefully bring someone or something to the ground. It can also refer to reducing the price or value of something significantly.
The idiom "kiss off" means to dismiss, reject, or end a relationship with someone in a dismissive or rude manner.
The idiom "kick the habit" means to stop or break a bad or addictive behavior or addiction. It can refer to giving up smoking, drugs, or any other negative habit.
The idiom "hit pause" means to temporarily stop or pause an activity or situation, often to reflect or take a break before continuing.
The idiom "go fly a kite" is an informal way of telling someone to go away or to leave you alone, often used when you are annoyed or frustrated with them.
The idiom "get out of someone's hair" means to stop bothering or annoying someone, to leave them alone or to give them space.
The idiom "get lost" means to tell someone to go away or leave, often used in a rude or dismissive manner. It is a way of expressing annoyance or frustration with someone's presence.
The Deceptive Command: Halt
The idiom 'knock it off' is related to several other idioms, including 'leave off', 'buzz off', 'put a sock in it', 'choke off', and 'bog off'.
The idiom 'leave off' is similar to 'knock it off' in that it also means to stop or cease a particular action or behavior. It can be used interchangeably with 'knock it off' in most situations. For example, if someone is constantly interrupting in a meeting, you might say, 'Leave off!' or 'Knock it off!'. Both idioms express the same idea of wanting the person to stop their behavior.
'Buzz off' is another idiom that is related to 'knock it off'. It is a more informal and slightly impolite way of telling someone to go away or leave. The idiom 'buzz off' is usually used when someone is being annoying or bothersome. For instance, if someone is constantly pestering you, you might say, 'Buzz off!' or 'Knock it off!'. Both idioms convey a sense of annoyance and the desire for the person to stop bothering you.
'Put a sock in it' is a colorful idiom that is often used in a playful or lighthearted manner. It means to be quiet or stop talking. The phrase 'put a sock in it' is believed to have originated in the early 1900s and may have been derived from the practice of putting a sock in a phonograph horn to muffle the sound. If someone is talking too much or being too loud, you might say, 'Put a sock in it!' or 'Knock it off!'. Both idioms convey the same message of wanting the person to be quiet or stop talking.
'Choke off' is a less common idiom that is related to 'knock it off'. It means to stifle or suppress something. The phrase 'choke off' is often used in the context of ending or inhibiting the growth or progress of something. For example, if a particular activity or behavior is causing problems or hindering progress, you might say, 'Choke it off!' or 'Knock it off!'. Both idioms express the idea of wanting to cease or stop something that is causing difficulties or obstacles.
'Bog off' is a British slang idiom that is similar to 'knock it off'. It is a more casual and colloquial way of telling someone to go away or leave. The phrase 'bog off' is often used in a slightly humorous or sarcastic manner. For instance, if someone is annoying or bothering you, you might say, 'Bog off!' or 'Knock it off!'. Both idioms convey the same message of wanting the person to go away or stop their behavior.
Overall, the idiom 'knock it off' is closely related to other idioms such as 'leave off', 'buzz off', 'put a sock in it', 'choke off', and 'bog off'. These idioms all express a desire for someone to stop or cease a particular action or behavior. While they may vary in tone or formality, they convey the same basic message. Whether you choose to use 'knock it off', 'leave off', 'buzz off', 'put a sock in it', 'choke off', or 'bog off', the intention is clear - to ask or command someone to stop what they are doing.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom *knock it off* can be used in a sentence:
- I wish my neighbors would knock it off with their loud music.
- Hey, knock it off! We're trying to have a serious conversation here.
- If you don't knock it off, I'm going to have to report you to the teacher.
More "Command" idioms
