knock about

• From knock + about.

knock about (plural knock abouts)

1. An informal game involving physical activity, usually football.

knock about (third-person singular simple present knocks about, present participle knocking about, simple past and past participle knocked about) (informal)

1. (intransitive, often followed by with) To spend time companionably; to hang around.

   I used to knock about with John when we were younger.

   John and I used to knock about when we were younger.

2. (transitive) To engage in a relaxing activity in; to hang around in.

   I like to knock about the garden on Saturdays.

3. (transitive and intransitive, usually in present participial form) To be located in or mislaid in.

   I've got some scissors knocking about the house.

   I've got some scissors knocking about in the kitchen.

4. (transitive) To hit or behave violently towards.

   It was known that he would knock his wife about when he had been drinking.

Friends:

• hang
• hang about
• hang around
• knock around

Relaxing activity:

• potter about
• potter around

Hit:

• knock around