Phrasal Verbs

knock around (1)

This page is about the phrasal verb knock around (1)

INFORMAL

Meaning

to hit or kick somebody repeatedly

Synonym

beat up (informal), beat up on (American informal)

For example

  • knock sb around Everyone knew her husband knocked her around, but nobody did anything about it.

  • be/get knocked around The older kids said they used to get knocked around when they were juniors, so now it was their turn to do some bullying.

Quick Quiz

He said the police had knocked him around, and we believed him because he

a. didn't have his money or jewellery

b. could prove he was innocent

c. had bruises on his body
a) didn't have his money or jewellery b) could prove he was innocent c) had bruises on his body

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1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context

Contributor: Matt Errey