knocking shop
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Meaning · English
A brothel.
Register: slang
Examples
[A]lways reminds me of one of the costlier knocking-shops, you know—'Maison Japonaise' …
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 “knocking shop” mean?
A brothel.
Is “knocking shop” formal or informal?
knocking shop is generally slang.