knock (some) sense into (one)

(redirected from knock sense into someone)

knock (some) sense into (one)

To assist or persuade someone to start thinking sensibly (about something). Jason is convinced that he wants to get a tattoo once he turns 18, but I'm hoping we'll be able to knock sense into him by then. If you think you're going to find success with your high school rock band, then someone needs to knock some sense into you.

knock some sense into someone

and knock some sense in

to strike one, making one smarter, or at least obedient. I think his father finally knocked some sense into him. The accident finally knocked in some sense. I thought that last week's experience would knock some sense in.

knock/talk some ˈsense into somebody

(informal) try to persuade somebody to stop behaving in a stupid way, sometimes using rough or violent methods: I wish somebody would knock some sense into our politicians. ♢ Try and talk some sense into her before she makes the wrong decision.

knock some sense into

Slang

To beat or hit (someone) in an effort to teach a lesson or cause a person to adopt an acceptable pattern of behavior.