Knockout
/ˈnɑːk.aʊt/noun
A blow or event that causes someone to become unconscious, or something that is extremely impressive or attractive.
Did you know?The boxing sense of knockout is relatively modern, but the phrase became so powerful that it spread into slang for anything so strong, beautiful, or impressive it metaphorically “takes you out.”
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
cnocian
“to strike or rap”
Middle English
ME
knokken
“to strike, hit, or rap”
16th–17th Century
English
knock out
“to strike out or defeat by a blow”
19th Century
English
knockout
“a blow that renders someone unconscious, especially in boxing”
Modern English
English
knockout
“a blow that causes unconsciousness; by extension, something exceptionally attractive or impressive”