Phrase guide

knock around

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

Synonym of knock about.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal

Examples

  • I like to knock around the garden on Saturdays.
  • I used to knock around with John when we were younger.
  • I’ve got some scissors knocking around somewhere in the kitchen.
  • It was known that he would knock his wife around when he had been drinking.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: knock about

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From knock + around.