To destroy a building or structure so that it falls to the ground.
They knocked down the old cinema to build a new shopping center.
A: What happened to that house on the corner? B: Oh, they knocked it down last week.
In my hometown, many old buildings have been knocked down to make space for modern apartments.
Common mistake
✗The old house was knocked down to the ground.
✓The old house was knocked down.
'Knock down' already means flatten — 'to the ground' is redundant.
Tell it apart
They knocked down the wall.
demolished it
A car knocked down a pedestrian.
hit and felled them
Use 'knock down' when talking about removing or destroying buildings, especially with machines.'Knock down' focuses on making something fall, while 'break down' can mean to separate into pieces or stop working.
To hit someone or something so that they fall to the ground.
The cyclist was knocked down by a car but luckily wasn't badly hurt.
A: Did you see what happened at the match? B: Yeah, one player knocked the other down by accident.
I once saw a child get knocked down by a stray football during a game at school.
Common mistake
✗He was knocked down from a cyclist.
✓He was knocked down by a cyclist.
Use 'by' for the agent — 'knocked down BY a car/cyclist'.
Tell it apart
A bus knocked him down.
hit and felled him
They knocked the shop down.
demolished it
Use 'knock down' when someone or something is hit and falls to the ground, often in sports or accidents.'Knock over' is used for objects that fall but may not stay down; 'knock down' often means a stronger impact.
To lower the price of something significantly, often as a result of negotiation or a special offer.
The manager agreed to knock down the price by 30% to secure the deal.
A: That jacket is way too expensive for me. B: If you ask, they might knock down the price since it's last season's stock.
During negotiations, the supplier was willing to knock down the cost significantly, making the contract much more attractive to the buyer.
Common mistake
✗I knocked down the price for £20.
✓I knocked the price down to £20. / I knocked £20 off.
'Knock down TO + the final price'. To name the reduction amount, use 'knock £20 OFF'.
Tell it apart
They knocked the price down to £30.
reduced it
They knocked the old shed down.
demolished it
'Knock down' in this sense is commonly used in business, retail, or negotiation contexts to suggest a substantial and sometimes sudden reduction in price. It is less formal than 'reduce' or 'lower' and carries a sense of negotiation or special deal.Unlike the B1 senses, which refer to physically making something or someone fall, this sense is figurative and relates specifically to reducing prices or amounts, especially in commercial contexts.