knock the living daylights out of: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘knock the living daylights out of’ mean?
The idiom "knock the living daylights out of" means to beat or hit someone very hard, often causing them to lose consciousness or be severely injured.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "knock the stuffing out of" means to greatly weaken or defeat someone or something, typically through a powerful physical or emotional blow or shock.
The idiom "knock some sense into" means to forcefully make someone understand something by using harsh or direct methods. It implies the need to change someone's perspective or behavior abruptly and forcefully, often through physical or emotional means.
The idiom "knock someone's socks off" means to greatly impress or amaze someone. It suggests the idea of figuratively knocking off someone's socks, indicating a strong and positive reaction to something.
The idiom "knock someone over with a feather" means to greatly surprise or astonish someone to the point where they are rendered speechless or unable to react.
The idiom "knock someone off their perch" means to cause someone to lose their position of power, influence, or superiority.
The idiom "knock someone flat" means to cause someone to fall down or become unconscious by hitting them with great force.
The idiom "knock someone down with a feather" means to greatly surprise or shock someone. The use of the feather emphasizes how unexpected or unbelievable the news or event is.
The idiom "knock out of the box" means to surprise or astonish someone by doing or saying something unexpected or unconventional.
The idiom "knock out" means to defeat someone in a competition or fight, or to exhaust someone physically or emotionally.
The idiom "knock oneself out" means to exert a lot of effort or work extremely hard. It is often used to encourage someone to do something with great enthusiasm or without holding back.
Terrifying Origins
"beat the daylights out of" is another idiom that is related to "knock the living daylights out of." Both expressions share similar meanings and are often used interchangeably. "Beat the daylights out of" also implies a severe beating or assault, emphasizing the intensity and force of the attack.
This idiom can be traced back to the early 19th century as well, and it has been commonly used in literature and popular media. It conveys a sense of extreme violence and harm, suggesting that the subject of the idiom has been severely beaten or assaulted.
Just like "knock the living daylights out of," the idiom "beat the daylights out of" is not meant to be taken literally. It is a metaphorical expression used to describe a severe physical attack or beating.
"knock the stuffing out of" is another idiom that shares a similar meaning with "knock the living daylights out of." This expression also implies a forceful and intense blow or strike that leaves the subject severely impacted.
The use of the word "stuffing" in this idiom adds a sense of vulnerability and powerlessness. It suggests that the subject has been weakened or defeated by the forceful blow or attack.
Like the other two idioms, "knock the stuffing out of" is not meant to be taken literally. It is a metaphorical expression used to describe a situation where someone has been greatly impacted or defeated.
These three idioms - "knock the living daylights out of," "beat the daylights out of," and "knock the stuffing out of" - are all powerful expressions used to convey the idea of severe harm or impact. They are vivid and attention-grabbing, adding intensity and emphasis to the description of an assault, beating, or powerful action.
The use of these idioms demonstrates the richness and versatility of the English language in capturing and expressing impactful experiences. Whether in the context of physical harm or metaphorical impact, these idioms provide a vivid and effective way to describe the intensity and lasting effect of a violent action or powerful event.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "knock the living daylights out of" can be used in a sentence:
- He got so angry that he threatened to knock the living daylights out of his opponent.
- The car accident knocked the living daylights out of him, and he suffered multiple injuries.
- Her performance in the play was so remarkable that it knocked the living daylights out of the audience.
More "Violence" idioms
