Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Damaged, broken, or in a state of disrepair: The term "knocked-out" describes something that has been rendered non-functional, severely damaged, or worn out, often through use, impact, or neglect. It emphasizes a state of being broken down or unusable.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • After the storm, the power lines were completely knocked-out.
  • We had to replace the knocked-out engine in the old truck.
  • The boxer was fighting with a knocked-out tooth.

Advanced Usage

• "knocked-out" as a state of being: Often used informally to describe objects, machinery, or systems that are no longer operational.
  • The network server has been knocked-out since yesterday's outage.
• "knocked-out" in sports/combat: While the primary definition here is "damaged," note that in other contexts (like boxing), "knocked out" (often hyphenated when used as an adjective before a noun) means rendered unconscious. This is a distinct, idiomatic usage.
  • The fighter was knocked out in the first round. (Here, "knocked out" is a phrasal verb in past tense, meaning "rendered unconscious.")

Variants and Related Words

• Knock out (phrasal verb): To render unconscious; to eliminate from a competition; to produce something rapidly.
  • He can knock out fifty push-ups in a minute. (To produce)
  • The champion knocked out the challenger. (To render unconscious)
• Knockout (noun): The act of knocking someone unconscious; a stunningly attractive person or thing.
  • She won the match by a knockout.
  • That car is a real knockout.

Synonyms

• Damaged: Impaired in value, usefulness, or function.
• Broken: Separated into parts or pieces; not working.
• Inoperative: Not functioning or not in operation.
• Busted (informal): Broken or out of order.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Knock out: As mentioned above, this is the verb form. When used as an adjective before a noun, it is often hyphenated ("knocked-out equipment").
  • The explosion knocked out the electricity. (Caused it to stop functioning)

Related Idioms

• Knocked for a loop: Shocked, surprised, or severely affected by something. (This shares the sense of being rendered incapacitated but is more figurative).
  • The bad news really knocked him for a loop.
• Out cold: Unconscious. This is closely related to the combat/sports meaning of "knocked out."
  • The punch left him out cold on the canvas.

Adjective

1. damaged
   • the gym has some of the most knocked-out equipment since Vic Tanny