knock around - Definition & Meaning

knock around

Third Person

knocks around

Present Participle

knocking around

Past Tense

knocked around

Past Participle

knocked around

to strike someone or something multiple times

transitive

The boxer is knocking around his opponent with heavy punches.
The carpenter is knocking the piece of wood around with a hammer, shaping it into a chair leg.
The angry mob knocked the protestor around until he was unconscious.
The children were knocking around the ball back and forth, playing a game of catch.

Synonyms:

to spend time or travel without a clear plan or direction

transitive

He's a seasoned wanderer who has been knocking around the globe for over two decades.
I spent the afternoon knocking around town, just window shopping and people-watching.
I knocked around Australia for a few years after college, working odd jobs and enjoying the laid-back lifestyle.
They were knocking around the bookstore, browsing through shelves filled with literary treasures.
The young couple was knocking around Europe when they met each other and fell in love.

Synonyms:

to spend a considerable amount of time with someone, often implying close companionship or romantic involvement

The two have been knocking around since they met at university, forming an unbreakable bond.
The old friends had knocked around in their younger days, but they lost touch over the years.
They've been knocking around for years, growing close as friends and confidantes.
They knock around with the same group of friends every weekend.
We're currently knocking around together, exploring the local area and discovering hidden gems.

to be somewhere nearby, but the exact location is unknown

My keys must be knocking around here somewhere.I just can't seem to find them.
I'm sure I'll find my lost earrings eventually.They must be knocking around somewhere in my jewelry box.
The missing file must be knocking around in the vast archives of the company's records.
The missing piece of the puzzle must be knocking around somewhere, ready to complete the picture.

to casually discuss or think about ideas, plans, or possibilities

transitive

I knocked some potential solutions around to the problem with my friend, but we didn't come up with anything definitive.
They often knock ideas around for their next project during their lunch breaks.
The designers were knocking around different color schemes for the website.
The various theories to explain the observed phenomenon were knocked around by the scientists.
The travel destinations were knocked around by the group before making a final decision.

(of ideas, plans, etc.) to be casually discussed or brainstormed over a period of time

These ideas have been knocking around for years, but no one has taken any concrete action yet.
There have been rumors of a new product launch knocking around for months.
The idea of a company retreat has been knocking around for a while.
The possibility of a merger has been knocking around ever since the two companies started working together.
I've heard a few different theories knocking around about what happened.