knock around
1 of 1verb/nɑk əˈraʊnd/
Forms:knocks around,knocking around,knocked around,knocked around
1
to strike someone or something multiple times
transitive- The boxer is knocking around his opponent with heavy punches.
- The carpenter is knocking the piece of wood around with a hammer, shaping it into a chair leg.
- The angry mob knocked the protestor around until he was unconscious.
- The children were knocking around the ball back and forth, playing a game of catch.
2
to spend time or travel without a clear plan or direction
transitive- He's a seasoned wanderer who has been knocking around the globe for over two decades.
- I spent the afternoon knocking around town, just window shopping and people-watching.
- I knocked around Australia for a few years after college, working odd jobs and enjoying the laid-back lifestyle.
- They were knocking around the bookstore, browsing through shelves filled with literary treasures.
- The young couple was knocking around Europe when they met each other and fell in love.
Synonyms:
3
to spend a considerable amount of time with someone, often implying close companionship or romantic involvement
- The two have been knocking around since they met at university, forming an unbreakable bond.
- The old friends had knocked around in their younger days, but they lost touch over the years.
- They've been knocking around for years, growing close as friends and confidantes.
- They knock around with the same group of friends every weekend.
- We're currently knocking around together, exploring the local area and discovering hidden gems.
4
to be somewhere nearby, but the exact location is unknown
- My keys must be knocking around here somewhere.I just can't seem to find them.
- I'm sure I'll find my lost earrings eventually.They must be knocking around somewhere in my jewelry box.
- The missing file must be knocking around in the vast archives of the company's records.
- The missing piece of the puzzle must be knocking around somewhere, ready to complete the picture.
5
to casually discuss or think about ideas, plans, or possibilities
transitive- I knocked some potential solutions around to the problem with my friend, but we didn't come up with anything definitive.
- They often knock ideas around for their next project during their lunch breaks.
- The designers were knocking around different color schemes for the website.
- The various theories to explain the observed phenomenon were knocked around by the scientists.
- The travel destinations were knocked around by the group before making a final decision.
6
(of ideas, plans, etc.) to be casually discussed or brainstormed over a period of time
- These ideas have been knocking around for years, but no one has taken any concrete action yet.
- There have been rumors of a new product launch knocking around for months.
- The idea of a company retreat has been knocking around for a while.
- The possibility of a merger has been knocking around ever since the two companies started working together.
- I've heard a few different theories knocking around about what happened.