Translation guide
The English phrase "knock out" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses: rendering someone unconscious, eliminating from a competition, impressing or exhausting someone, and quickly producing something.
To hit someone so hard that they lose consciousness, or to cause someone to become unconscious by other means (e.g., drugs, gas).
Direct loanword from English, commonly used in boxing and combat sports. Can also be used figuratively.
He knocked out his opponent with one punch.
Literally 'to cause to faint'. More general than ノックアウトする; can be used for any method of rendering unconscious.
The drug knocked him out.
Literally 'to punch down'. Emphasizes the physical act of striking someone to the ground, often resulting in unconsciousness.
He knocked out the robber.
To defeat an opponent in a tournament or competition so that they are eliminated.
Formal term meaning 'to cause to be defeated and withdraw'. Common in sports news.
The Japanese team knocked out the powerhouse.
Loanword used figuratively for elimination in tournaments, especially in combat sports or gaming.
To defeat decisively. Can be used in any competitive context.
To amaze or overwhelm someone with a performance, appearance, etc.
To make someone extremely tired or unable to function, often due to illness, exertion, or substances.
Means 'to make someone exhausted/limp'. Often used for physical fatigue.
The long flight knocked him out.
Loanword from 'down', meaning to cause to collapse or be unable to continue. Common for illness or exhaustion.
A cold knocked him out.
To create or complete something rapidly, often in large quantities.
While ノックアウトする can be used figuratively for 'impress', it may sound overly dramatic or like slang. In formal contexts, use 圧倒する or 感動させる instead.
ノックアウトする is strongly associated with sports (especially boxing) and sudden impact. 気絶させる is broader and can refer to fainting from any cause, including medical reasons.
They knocked out the previous champion.
我々はライバル校を打ち負かした。
We knocked out our rival school.
He was completely knocked out by her in that dress.
She knocked out dinner in no time.