knock (one) sideways

(redirected from knocked me sideways)

knock (one) sideways

1. To impact one with physical force, either intentionally or unintentionally, resulting in pain, disorientation, etc. He wasn't going very fast at all, but it still knocked me sideways when the cyclist ran into me.

2. To shock, surprise, astonish, or bewilder one. The end of that trick always knocks the audience sideways. I love watching their faces as they desperately try to figure it out. It really knocked Stu sideways when Olivia announced she was leaving the company.

knock someone sideways

BRITISH

If something knocks you sideways, it makes you feel amazed, confused, or very upset. What knocks most visitors sideways is the sheer power and beauty of the place. Something like this, a huge shock, completely knocks you sideways. Compare with be knocked sideways.

knock someone sideways

affect someone very severely; make someone severely depressed or unable to cope. informal

1998 Penelope Lively Spiderweb It's always knocked me sideways—the thought of what we carry around, stashed away.

knock somebody ˈsideways

(informal) surprise or shock somebody so much that they are unable to react immediately: Losing his job has really knocked him sideways.