knocker
/'nɔkə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A hinged metal device on a door for knocking: A knocker is a piece of metal, often decorative, attached to a door by a hinge, used to knock on the door to announce one's presence.
- A person who knocks, especially seeking entrance: A knocker is someone who knocks, typically on a door, to gain admittance.
- A person who disparages or criticizes harshly: (Informal) A knocker is a person who habitually belittles or finds fault with something.
- (Vulgar slang) A breast: (Informal, often considered offensive) A knocker is a term for a woman's breast.
- (Yiddish slang) A boastful, self-important person: A knocker is a big shot who is boastful and acts in an immoderate way.
Usage Examples
- Noun (Door device):
- He lifted the brass knocker and rapped it firmly against the door.
- The antique door had a beautiful lion's head knocker.
- Noun (Person knocking):
- The persistent knocker finally woke the entire household.
- Open the door and see who the knocker is.
- Noun (Critic):
- He's just a professional knocker who never has anything positive to say.
- Don't be such a knocker; try to see the good in the plan.
- Noun (Slang: Breast):
- The use of "knocker" in that context is considered vulgar and disrespectful.
- Noun (Yiddish slang):
- He's a real knocker, always boasting about his connections.
Advanced Usage
- "Up to the knocker": (British, Australian slang) Meaning in excellent condition, perfect, or fully.
- After the renovation, the old house was up to the knocker.
Variants and Related Words
- Knock (verb): To strike a surface, like a door, to make a noise.
- Knocking (noun/gerund): The action or sound of striking something.
Synonyms
- For the device: Door knocker, rapper.
- For the critic: Detractor, disparager, fault-finder, critic.
- For the person knocking: Visitor, caller.
Related Phrases
- Knock on wood: An idiom said to avoid bad luck, often while touching something wooden.
- Knock it off: (Phrasal verb) An informal command meaning to stop doing something.
- Knock out: (Phrasal verb) To render unconscious; to produce something impressively or quickly.
Noun
- a device (usually metal and ornamental) attached by a hinge to a door
- either of two soft fleshy milk-secreting glandular organs on the chest of a woman
- one who disparages or belittles the worth of something
- a person who knocks (as seeking to gain admittance)
- open the door and see who the knocker is
- (Yiddish) a big shot who knows it and acts that way; a boastful immoderate person