How Do You Spell KNOCK DEAD?

Pronunciation: [nˈɒk dˈɛd] (IPA)

The phrase "knock dead" means to impress or astonish someone. When we look at the phonetic transcription of this phrase, we can see that the "k" and "n" sounds are pronounced separately. The "k" sound is produced by forcing air out of the back of the throat while the tongue is pressed against the soft palate. Then, the "n" sound is made by placing the tongue behind the teeth and allowing air to pass through the nasal cavity. The word "dead" is pronounced with a long "e" sound followed by a soft "d" sound.

KNOCK DEAD Meaning and Definition

1. The phrase "knock dead" has several meanings and can be used as a phrasal verb or an idiom in various contexts. When used as a phrasal verb, it means to impress or astonish someone greatly with one's skills, abilities, appearance, or performance. It often implies overwhelming success or leaving a lasting impact on others. For example, if a singer "knocks the audience dead," it means they captivate and astound the crowd with their powerful voice and stage presence.

   As an idiom, "knock dead" refers to being extremely successful or triumphant in a specific situation. It suggests achieving a remarkable outcome or surpassing everyone's expectations. It can be used casually or more formally, depending on the context. For instance, a student who "knocks the exam dead" performs exceptionally well, scoring impressively high marks.

   Furthermore, "knock dead" can also be used in a more literal sense, indicating physical harm or death caused by a blow, accident, or other unfortunate events. In this sense, it expresses a severe impact or significant damage.

   Overall, the phrase "knock dead" conveys either impressing someone profoundly, exceeding expectations, achieving great success, or causing physical harm depending on the context in which it is used.

Common Misspellings for KNOCK DEAD

• knockdead

Etymology of KNOCK DEAD

The phrase "knock dead" is an idiomatic expression that means to greatly impress or astound someone. The etymology of this phrase can be traced back to the early 19th century and has its roots in theatrical slang.

In the world of theater, actors would use the term "knock 'em dead" to mean to give such an outstanding performance that it leaves the audience in awe or amazement. The idea was that the performance was so captivating that it figuratively knocked the audience dead. This phrase eventually made its way into everyday language, where it is now used to describe impressing or astonishing someone in any context, not just in the realm of theater.

Idioms with the word KNOCK DEAD

• knock dead To impress or astonish someone with one's attractiveness, talent, or performance.