knock about
C1/C2Informal, colloquial
Definition
Meaning
To spend time idly or aimlessly, often with a casual or itinerant lifestyle.
To treat roughly or casually; to wander or travel without a fixed plan.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often carries a connotation of lack of purpose or rough treatment. Can be transitive (treat roughly) or intransitive (wander).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, also used as an adjective ('knockabout comedy'). The verb is more common in BrE.
Connotations
In AmE, slightly more literary or old-fashioned feel. In BrE, more current in informal speech.
Frequency
More frequent in British English overall.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
He knocked about [ADVPLACE] for a few years.They knock about [PP_WITH] together.Don't knock about [NP] like that!Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “knock about with (someone)”
- “knock-about comedy/farce”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; might be used figuratively: 'The idea has been knocking about the office for weeks.'
Academic
Very rare, except in historical/cultural studies describing itinerant lifestyles.
Everyday
Common in informal conversation about past activities or current laziness.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He spent a few years knocking about Europe before uni.
- Don't knock the furniture about, it's antique!
American English
- He knocked about the Southwest doing odd jobs.
- The old truck has been knocked about a lot.
adjective
British English
- It was a classic piece of knockabout humour.
- He's a knockabout sort of chap.
American English
- The play had a knockabout, physical energy.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The kids were knocking about in the garden all afternoon.
- He knocks about with a friendly group.
- After graduation, she knocked about Southeast Asia for a year.
- That suitcase has been knocked about on all its travels.
- A few ideas have been knocking about the department, but none are formalised.
- He's not one for formality—prefers a more knockabout style of debate.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a loose door KNOCKer swinging ABOUT in the wind - moving aimlessly.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY (aimless part); TREATING CASUALLY IS HITTING.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation "стучать около". For 'knock about the house' use "слоняться по дому", not "бить около дома".
Common Mistakes
- Using it in formal writing.
- Confusing with 'knock around' (identical meaning, but 'about' is more BrE).
- Incorrect tense: *"He has knocked about" is fine, but *"He knocked about there" needs a time/place complement.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'knock about' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they are synonymous in all meanings. 'Knock about' is more common in British English, 'knock around' in American English.
Yes, in a transitive sense meaning 'to treat roughly': 'The postman knocks the parcels about.'
It can be both: a phrasal verb ('to knock about') and a compound adjective ('knockabout comedy').
'Hang out' is more specifically about socialising in a place. 'Knock about' emphasises aimlessness and can involve travel or rough treatment.