Meaning trap
knock out
eliminate from a competition
To defeat someone so that they can no longer continue in a competition or tournament.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To defeat someone so that they can no longer continue in a competition or tournament.
Another meaning of 'knock out' is 'make someone unconscious'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
Our team was knocked out of the tournament in the semi-finals.
If you lose in the early stages, you get knocked out and can't continue to the finals.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: They were knocked out from the cup.
Say: They were knocked out of the cup.
'Knocked out OF a competition', not 'from'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Knock out' is the natural sports verb for being eliminated. 'Eliminated from the tournament' is commentary-formal.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
knock out + of
- of the cup
- in the semis
- early
- the holders
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- knock out (make someone unconscious) — Another meaning of 'knock out' is 'make someone unconscious'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.