English · Phrasal verb Attested

knock about

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To hit (someone or something) all over repeatedly; hence, to behave violently towards or mistreat (someone or something).

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

đánh vào (ai hoặc cái gì) nhiều lần; hành động bạo lực

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Where it’s used: Used American English

It was known that he would knock his wife about when he had been drinking.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To knock back a drink; to finish a drink.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

uống một ly rượu một hơi

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To move or roam around aimlessly; to be in circulation.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

di chuyển hoặc lang thang vô định

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

What does “knock about” mean?

To hit (someone or something) all over repeatedly; hence, to behave violently towards or mistreat (someone or something).

Is “knock about” formal or informal?

knock about is generally informal.