Pronunciation: [nˈɒkt dˈa͡ʊn] (IPA) 
The phrase "knocked down" is often misspelled due to its irregular pronunciation. The correct phonetic transcription is /nɑkt daʊn/, with the "k" being silent. This is a result of English being a language with many borrowed words and irregularities in spelling. Thus, it is important to remember that when speaking or writing the phrase "knocked down", the "k" is not pronounced, despite its presence in the spelling of the word.
Knocked down, also known as knockdown, is a phrasal verb which refers to the act of causing something or someone to fall over or collapse, usually with force or impact. It implies the action of forcefully bringing down something that was previously upright or stable.
In a literal sense, knocked down can describe the action of pushing or striking an object, causing it to lose balance and fall to the ground. This term can be applied to various situations, such as knocking down a door, a building, or even bowling pins. It suggests a sudden or forceful interruption of the object's stability.
In a figurative sense, knocked down can describe the effect of delivering a powerful blow to an individual, either physically or metaphorically. For instance, it can refer to defeating someone in a fight or competition, physically "knocking down" their opponent. Additionally, it can signify overwhelming someone with arguments or evidence, in a way that their position or beliefs are challenged and weakened, resulting in a figurative intellectual or emotional "knockdown."
Furthermore, the term knocked down can be used in a business context, particularly in auction settings. It denotes a situation where the highest bid successfully wins an item or property, and it is "knocked down" to the successful bidder.
Overall, knocked down conveys the notion of forceful, sudden, and often significant impact that causes something or someone to fall or be defeated.
The phrase knocked down can be traced back to Old English and its Middle English counterpart. In Old English, the verb knocian meant to strike, hit and evolved into Middle English as knokken. Over time, the meaning of knock expanded to include to strike with force, leading to the birth of the phrase knocked down. Originally, knock down referred to the act of forcefully striking or causing something to fall. It is worth noting that knock itself has Germanic origins, derived from the Old Norse word knoka meaning to knock or hammer.
