Synonyms for knock up


Grammar : Verb
Spell : nok
Phonetic Transcription : nÉ’k


Définition of knock up

Origin :
  • 1660s in sense of "arouse by knocking at the door," from knock (v.). However it is little used in this sense in American English, where the phrase means "get a woman pregnant" (1813), possibly ultimately from knock "to copulate with" (1590s; cf. slang knocking-shop "brothel," 1860).
  • Knocked up in the United States, amongst females, the phrase is equivalent to being enciente, so that Englishmen often unconsciously commit themselves when amongst our Yankee cousins. [John Camden Hotten, "The Slang Dictionary," London, 1860]
  • verb make pregnant
Example sentences :
  • But drop or, as you say in England, knock up calling me ‘sir.’
  • Extract from : « The Island Mystery » by George A. Birmingham
  • I determined to knock up the lodge-keeper, and to enlist her assistance.
  • Extract from : « A Master of Mysteries » by L. T. Meade
  • If he looks shocked at the suggestion, Dick can knock up a partition.
  • Extract from : « They and I » by Jerome K. Jerome
  • I mean to get a stone and knock up some of the bricks, if I can, and see.
  • Extract from : « Rollo in Rome » by Jacob Abbott
  • All he has to do is to knock up a book of travels, and it'll go like wildfire.'
  • Extract from : « The Whirlpool » by George Gissing
  • It might freeze—I could sprain my ankle, or knock up an excuse of some sort.
  • Extract from : « Sporting Society, Vol. I (of 2) » by Various
  • If you play polo hard enough, you may knock up a pony every game.
  • Extract from : « The Golden Butterfly » by Walter Besant
  • It wasn't so late but Bill could go into the town and knock up the folks at a hotel.
  • Extract from : « Vision House » by C. N. Williamson
  • If you want to beat the enemy, you must knock up the revenue.
  • Extract from : « Sybil » by Benjamin Disraeli
  • When the chance comes, I'm bound to kick around a bit and knock up the dust.
  • Extract from : « Menotah » by Ernest G. Henham

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Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019