The phrase "knocked the chip off one shoulder" refers to provocation or challenge. The word "knocked" is spelled /nɑkt/, with the "k" sound being followed by an "n" sound. Similarly, "chip" is spelled /tʃɪp/ with the "ch" having a "t" sound followed by a "sh" sound. Finally, "shoulder" is spelled /ˈʃoʊldər/, with the ending "er" pronounced with a weak "schwa" sound. Understanding the International Phonetic Alphabet can help decipher the spelling of words that may not seem to follow traditional English spelling rules.
The phrase "knocked the chip off one shoulder" refers to an idiom that is used to describe someone who has confronted or challenged another person's attitude, provoking them to abandon their confrontational or defensive stance. This expression carries its roots from an old practice in which a person would place a small piece of wood or chip on their shoulder as a symbolic invitation for someone else to knock it off, therefore initiating a conflict or fight.
In a figurative sense, "knocked the chip off one shoulder" means to provoke someone in such a way that they relinquish their confrontational disposition and become more reconciliatory. It implies that the individual has successfully addressed any bitterness or hostility, forcing them to reevaluate their previous confrontational standpoint.
This phrase is often used to emphasize how an individual has managed to effectively challenge and change another person's outlook or behavior, causing them to reassess their perspective or actions. It implies an assertion of authority, success, or achievement over someone who holds a hostile or confrontational mindset.
Overall, "knocked the chip off one shoulder" highlights the confrontation and transformation of someone's attitudes or behaviors from aggressive or defensive to a more cooperative or open-minded stance, typically as a result of being provoked or challenged.