1 B1 neutral
To drive something into a surface by hitting it repeatedly.
"He knocked in a row of stakes to mark the boundary of the garden."
separable
knock in
B1 neutral separable transitive
To drive something into a surface or a position by hitting it, or to score in certain sports.
In plain English
To push something into place by hitting it, like hammering a nail, or to score a goal or run.
What does "knock in" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
In sports, to score a point, run, or goal by striking a ball.
"The striker knocked in a late equaliser to rescue a point for his team."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To knock something so it goes inward.
Actually means
To push something into place by hitting it, like hammering a nail, or to score a goal or run.
Usage tip
Used literally to mean hitting an object into a surface (a nail, a stake). In sports (cricket, baseball, snooker), 'knock in' means to score runs, a ball, or points. Also used in cricket for the practice of 'knocking in' a new bat to prepare it for use.
Words that pair with "knock in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
nail peg goal run bat ball score
How to conjugate "knock in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
knock in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
knocks in
he/she/it
Past simple
knocked in
yesterday
Past participle
knocked in
have + pp
-ing form
knocking in
continuous
Hear "knock in" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "knock in" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "knock in"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
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