The phrase "knocks chip off one shoulder" means to cause someone to abandon their pride or arrogance. It is spelled with a silent "k" at the beginning of "knocks," pronounced as "nocks," and with the "ch" in "chip" pronounced as the "sh" sound, represented as /ʃ/. The IPA phonetic transcription for "knocks chip off one shoulder" would be /nɒks tʃɪp ɒf wʌn ʃəʊldə/. It is important to pay attention to silent letters and irregular pronunciations when spelling and using idiomatic expressions.
To "knock the chip off one's shoulder" refers to a proverbial phrase used to describe the act of purposefully causing someone to become less confrontational, aggressive, or dismissive. It often alludes to a person who harbors feelings of resentment or hostility and adopts a confrontational or defensive stance with others. The phrase originates from the notion of someone displaying a metaphorical "chip" or burden on their shoulder, symbolizing their readiness for conflict or their defiance against perceived disrespect.
By "knocking the chip off one's shoulder," the expression figuratively suggests removing or dislodging this symbol of belligerence or defensiveness. It may involve taking action to challenge the person, highlighting their unjustified aggression, or attempting to address the underlying issues that have caused their confrontational attitude. The goal is to prompt the person to abandon their combative stance and adopt a more conciliatory or open-minded perspective.
Overall, the phrase "knock the chip off one's shoulder" symbolizes actions aimed at creating peace, improving communication, and fostering understanding by dissuading someone from perpetuating unnecessary conflict or hostility.