Meaning trap

knock out

eliminate from a competition

To defeat someone so that they can no longer continue in a competition or tournament.

phrasal verbB2common

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

eliminate from a competition

To defeat someone so that they can no longer continue in a competition or tournament.

knock out (make someone unconscious)

Another meaning of 'knock out' is 'make someone unconscious'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

Our team was knocked out of the tournament in the semi-finals.sports
If you lose in the early stages, you get knocked out and can't continue to the finals.IELTS speaking

Pattern: knock someone out (of something)

WrongThey were knocked out from the cup.

RightThey were knocked out of the cup.

'Knocked out OF a competition', not 'from'.

Patternknock someone out (of something)

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff Our team was eliminated from the tournament in the first round.

Natural We got knocked out in the first round.

'Knock out' is the natural sports verb for being eliminated. 'Eliminated from the tournament' is commentary-formal.

Words that usually travel with it.

'Knock out' means to remove someone from a competition, not just to beat them in one game.

knock out (make someone unconscious) — Another meaning of 'knock out' is 'make someone unconscious'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.