A blow that renders an opponent unconscious in boxing; also describes something or someone stunningly impressive.
Compound of 'knock' and 'out,' first used in boxing context in the 1890s. Extended metaphorically to mean 'stunning success' or 'attractive person' by early 20th century.
The boxing term knockout became such a powerful metaphor that we use it everywhere - from knockout performances to knockout beauty - proving how sports language punches above its weight in everyday speech.
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