1. A rejection or refusal, especially of an application or request
   "He received a knock-back for his job application"
    
2. A setback or disappointment
   "The team's loss was a real knock-back to their championship hopes"

1. [Brit, informal] To swallow hurriedly, greedily or in one draught
   "He knocked back the whiskey in one go";
   - gulp, quaff, swig, throw back [Brit, informal], neck [Brit, informal], slug [informal]
    
2. Force backwards
   "The explosion knocked back everyone in the vicinity"
    
3. [informal] Reject or refuse
   "The committee knocked back his proposal"
    
4. [informal] Cost a certain amount
   - set back [informal], put back [Brit, informal]

Derived forms: knock-backs, knocked back, knocking back, knocks back

See also: position

Type of: be, cost, drink, imbibe

Encyclopedia: Knock-back