knock off

To make someone or something fall from a place by hitting them.

• The ball knocked my hat off.
• A passing truck knocked her off her bike.
• Be careful not to knock the cup off the table.

How to use it: knock someone/something off something (The branch knocked him off his bike.)

Similar words: dislodge

Common phrases: knock off a hat, knock off something

To reduce a price, amount, or estimated time by a certain amount.

• They knocked five dollars off.
• The seller knocked ten percent off the price.
• This shortcut could knock twenty minutes off our journey.

How to use it: knock an amount off something (They knocked ten pounds off the bill.)

Similar words: deduct, subtract, reduce

Opposites: add

Common phrases: knock off ten pounds, knock off twenty percent

To stop working or doing an activity, usually for the day.

• We knock off at six.
• The builders knocked off early yesterday.
• Shall we knock off for lunch?

How to use it: knock off at + time (We knock off at five on Fridays.)

Similar words: finish work, stop work

Opposites: start work

Common phrases: knock off early, knock off work