knock into
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To impress, instill, teach or convince (someone) of a fact, realization or ability.
Register: informal
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
He had to have obedience knocked into him.
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).
Common questions
What does “knock into” mean?
To impress, instill, teach or convince (someone) of a fact, realization or ability.
Is “knock into” formal or informal?
knock into is generally informal.