Meaning trap
knock down
reduce price sharply
To lower the price of something significantly, often as a result of negotiation or a special offer.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To lower the price of something significantly, often as a result of negotiation or a special offer.
'knock down' also has the more basic meaning 'demolish (a building or structure)'; this is the advanced sense.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- The manager agreed to knock down the price by 30% to secure the deal.business
- During negotiations, the supplier was willing to knock down the cost significantly, making the contract much more attractive to the buyer.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: knock down + price/amount
WrongI knocked down the price for £20.
RightI 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'.
Patternknock down + price/amount
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Knock down (a price)' is the natural haggling verb. 'Persuaded the seller to reduce the price' is wordy.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
knock downthe priceto £50by halfa bit
Don't confuse it
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.
Related
- knock down (demolish (a building or structure)) — 'knock down' also has the more basic meaning 'demolish (a building or structure)'; this is the advanced sense.