Meaning trap

knock down

demolish (a building or structure)

To destroy a building or structure so that it falls to the ground.

phrasal verbB1common

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

demolish (a building or structure)

To destroy a building or structure so that it falls to the ground.

knock down (hit and make fall)

Another meaning of 'knock down' is 'hit and make fall'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

They knocked down the old cinema to build a new shopping center.daily life
In my hometown, many old buildings have been knocked down to make space for modern apartments.IELTS speaking

Pattern: knock down [object]

WrongThe old house was knocked down to the ground.

RightThe old house was knocked down.

'Knock down' already means flatten — 'to the ground' is redundant.

Patternknock down [object]

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff They intend to demolish the old factory.

Natural They're going to knock down the old factory.

'Knock down' is the everyday verb for demolishing a building. 'Demolish' is fine but more formal/technical.

Words that usually travel with it.

'Knock down' focuses on making something fall, while 'break down' can mean to separate into pieces or stop working.

knock down (hit and make fall) — Another meaning of 'knock down' is 'hit and make fall'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.