knockout

A win caused by hitting an opponent so they cannot get up or continue fighting.

• He won by knockout.
• The boxer scored a knockout in the second round.
• A powerful punch led to her first knockout victory.

Similar words: KO

Common phrases: win by knockout, technical knockout, knockout blow

Something that people find extremely enjoyable, funny, or successful.

• The show was a knockout.
• Her comedy routine proved a real knockout.
• Everyone agreed that the party was an absolute knockout.

Similar words: hit, sensation, triumph

Opposites: flop

Common phrases: a real knockout, absolute knockout, knockout of something

The act of stopping something from working or being active.

• The gene knockout stopped protein production.
• Researchers tested the effects of a targeted knockout.
• These knockouts helped identify which genes control growth.

Similar words: deactivation, inactivation

Opposites: activation

Common phrases: gene knockout, knockout experiment, targeted knockout

A marked section of a panel that can be pushed out to make an opening.

• Remove the knockout before inserting the cable.
• The metal box has three circular knockouts.
• He pushed out a knockout to make room for another wire.

Common phrases: remove a knockout, electrical box knockout, panel knockout

Requiring the loser of a match to leave the competition.

• We reached the knockout stage.
• It is a knockout tournament, so every match matters.
• Eight teams qualified for the knockout rounds.

Similar words: elimination

Common phrases: knockout round, knockout tournament, knockout stage

Strong enough to make someone lose consciousness.

• He landed a knockout punch.
• The boxer delivered a knockout blow in the final round.
• Could that medicine have a knockout effect?

Common phrases: knockout blow, knockout punch

Extremely attractive or impressive.

• She wore a knockout dress.
• His knockout smile caught my attention.
• They gave a knockout performance last night.

Similar words: stunning, gorgeous

Common phrases: knockout dress, knockout smile, knockout performance

Having a particular gene removed or switched off for scientific study.

• They studied a knockout mouse.
• The knockout cells produced none of that protein.
• Researchers compared normal mice with knockout mice.

Common phrases: knockout mouse, knockout cells, knockout organism