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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Knock Meaning, Examples & Common Phrasal Verbs (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：knock on a door (knock)

knock 🔊

/nɒk/

v./n.

To hit something, like a door, with your hand or a hard object to make a sound and get attention.

knock on a door 🔊

➕

/nɒk ɒn ə dɔːr/

v./n.

To strike a surface, such as a door, with a sharp blow using the hand or a hard object, typically to attract attention or announce one's presence.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Imitative origin from Old English 'cnocian', meaning to strike a hard surface.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a knight knocking loudly on a castle gate: 'K-night knock'!

📖 Example

Before entering, she always knocks gently on the door to show respect. 🔊 Before she enters, she always knocks softly on the door as a sign of respect.

🔗 Collocations

knock on the door – to strike a door with the hand to request entry

knock at the window – to tap on a window to get someone's attention

knock loudly – to hit a surface with force to produce a loud sound

🔄 Synonyms

rap (v.) – to strike a surface with a quick, sharp blow

tap (v.) – to strike a surface lightly and quickly

bang (v.) – to hit a surface forcefully, making a loud noise

🚫 Antonyms

caress (v.) – to touch gently and lovingly, the opposite of striking

ignore (v.) – to pay no attention to, the opposite of seeking attention by knocking

🌱 Derivatives

knocker (n.) – a metal device attached to a door for knocking

knocking (n.) – the act or sound of striking a surface

knocked (adj.) – hit or struck, often used in compound words like 'knocked-out'

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Old English 'cnocian', an onomatopoeic word imitating the sound of striking. Used since the 14th century for rapping on doors to announce arrival.

Meaning 2：a rapping sound (knock)

knock 🔊

/nɒk/

v./n.

The short, hard sound made when something is hit.

Person reacting to a knocking sound at door

a rapping sound 🔊

➕

/ə ˈræpɪŋ saʊnd/

v./n.

A short, sharp sound produced when one object strikes another, especially a door or window.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

A sudden knock at the window made the cat jump up from its nap. 🔊 A sudden knock at the window startled the cat from its sleep.

🔗 Collocations

a loud knock – a forceful striking sound that is easily audible

a sharp knock – a sudden, distinct striking noise

two knocks – the sound made by two consecutive strikes

🔄 Synonyms

rap (n.) – a quick, sharp knock or sound

tap (n.) – a light, quick striking sound

thud (n.) – a dull, heavy sound, often from a fall or hit

🚫 Antonyms

silence (n.) – the absence of sound, opposite of a knock

🌱 Derivatives

knocker (n.) – a person or thing that knocks; also a door fitting

knocking (n.) – the act or sound of knocking