[knock] {sb} down with a feather
1
to cause a person to become very shocked, amazed, or confused
The idiom "knock someone down with a feather" has its origins in the English language and is used figuratively to emphasize extreme surprise or astonishment. The expression likely originated from the idea that something as light as a feather could have such a significant impact that it could knock a person down.
- I was so taken aback when I found out I'd won the lottery that you could have knocked me down with a feather!
- When I heard that he won the lottery, I was so shocked I felt like you could knock me down with a feather.
- The news of their sudden engagement would knock anyone down with a feather; no one saw it coming.
- Her incredible performance on stage left the audience feeling like she could knock them down with a feather.
- I was knocked down with a feather when they announced that the company was going out of business.