- skip - Brewer’s

Knock Under (To)

.

Johnson says this expression arose from a custom once common of knocking under the table when any guest wished to acknowledge himself beaten in argument. Another derivation is knuckle underi.e. to knuckle or bend the knuckle or knee in proof of submission. Bellenden Kerr says it is Te nôʹck ander, which he interprets “I am forced to yield.”

 

previous entry · index · next entry

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

previous entry · index · next entry

Knights of the Shears
Knights of the Shell
Knights of the Shire
Knights of the Spigot
Knights of the Swan
Knights of the Stick
Knights of the Thistle
Knights of the Whip
Knighten Guild
Knipperdollings
Knock Under (To)
Knocked into a Cocked Hat
Knockers
Knot
Knot and Bridle (A)
Knots of May
Knotted Stick is Planed (The)
Knotgrass
Knout
Know Thyself
Know the Fitting Moment