
好词典

源自古英语 cnocian(敲击),可能与古诺尔斯语 knoka(敲打)同源,拟声词演变而来。
❶ 指用手或物体敲击某物表面发出的声音或动作,常用于描述敲门、敲窗等行为。
“I heard a loud knocking at the door late at night.”
(深夜我听到一阵猛烈的敲门声。)
“The constant knocking on the wall kept me awake.”
(持续的敲墙声让我无法入睡。)
❶ 表示用手或物体反复击打某物,可以是敲门、敲击乐器或机械故障的异响。
“He was knocking on the table to get our attention.”
(他敲着桌子以引起我们注意。)
“The woodpecker kept knocking against the tree trunk.”
(啄木鸟不停地啄击树干。)
knocking on wood — 西方习俗中用手敲木头以祈求好运或避免厄运的动作,类似中文的「呸呸呸」。
“"I've never been in an accident," she said, knocking on wood.”
(「我从没出过事故,」她边说边敲木头。)
knocking at death's door — 比喻生命垂危或处于极度危险的状态,强调情况非常危急。
“After the severe illness, he was knocking at death's door for weeks.”
(重病后他有好几周都命悬一线。)