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Glite Dictionary
knocked out cold

knocked out cold

2 7.2
Completely unconscious after a hard hit to the head
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : inconsciente
  • The cyclist fell hard and was knocked out cold, needing medical attention at the scene.
  • knocked out cold then

Examples

  • "Like, okay, I'm knocked out cold."

    Blog text (34)

  • The fan was knocked out cold, to the shock of everyone watching.

    Blog text (5)

  • Knocked out cold, his foot floors the gas.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • Whatever civility they had been clinging to, by some silent mutual agreement, had been knocked out cold.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • Because according to the NFL's own numbers, half of all players with concussions are sent back into the same game, including some who were actually knocked out cold.

    Concussion (2015)

  • She's knocked out cold.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • Suzanne stands atop the fallen actors, who are bloodied, beaten, and knocked out cold.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • After taking a hard hit during the game, he was knocked out cold on the field.

  • When the boxer landed a powerful punch, his opponent was knocked out cold immediately.

Synonyms

knocked out
vsknocked out cold
29 4.6

Not awake after a strong hit to the head

is complete unconsciousness often caused by a sudden impact
out cold
vsknocked out cold
  • Informal
27 6.9

Unconscious or sleeping very deeply

is sudden unconsciousness caused by a blow rather than natural sleep
out like a light
vsknocked out cold
  • Informal
7 7.3

To fall asleep or become unconscious very quickly

is unconsciousness mainly from a blow rather than quick sleep
out
vsknocked out cold
  • Informal
1 6.8

Not conscious after a hit or fall

is specifically complete unconsciousness caused by sudden impact
KO'd
vsknocked out cold
  • Informal
9.6

Unconscious after a strong hit in a fight or boxing match

is general complete unconsciousness not limited to sports contexts
kayoed
vsknocked out cold
  • Archaic
9.9

A person knocked unconscious by a hard punch, often during a fight or boxing match

is the neutral medical description without slangy tone
to knock down for the count
vsknocked out cold
  • Informal
8.2

To be hit so hard that you fall and cannot get up

is medical complete unconsciousness not implying defeat or lasting incapacity

Antonyms

conscious
179 3.8

Awake and able to feel or notice things around you

alert
82 2.8

Quick to notice and respond to what is happening

How Unconscious

comatose
35 7.8
knocked out cold
  • Informal
2 7.2
knocked out
29 4.6
stunned
29 3.0
dazed
40 4.8

Surface Forms

knocked out cold positive

Morphology

knocked + out + cold

The meaning 'completely unconscious' is compositionally derivable from 'knocked' (struck) + 'out' (rendered unconscious), with 'cold' functioning as an emphatic intensifier; a learner who knows these constituent senses can infer the overall meaning. The verb+particle pattern 'knock out' and the intensifier use of 'cold' are common in English (and paralleled in many languages), supporting immediate comprehension at B1.

Etymology

Knocked out cold comes from the literal image of someone being knocked (hit) so hard they are sent out and lie very still, like they are cold. So the phrase means 'completely unconscious', often after a blow.