Meaning of knock on the head | Babel Free

Definitions

To put an end to; to defeat or frustrate (a scheme or project).

transitive

Examples

“My young brothers and sisters looked very awestruck at this first glimpse of barbaric life, and I fear many of the theories they had formed about going into the wilds alone, and experiencing some Robinson Crusoe-like adventures, were suddenly "knocked on the head," to use⟳ a forcible colonial expression, one, however, which rather pointed to their probable fate if they had attempted anything of the kind.”

“The urban myth of the sun shining through Box Tunnel on Brunel's birthday may have⟳ been knocked on the head, but in its portal facing designs he created structures which have⟳ stood the test⟳ of time well.”

CEFR level