How do you use "Knock it off" in a sentence?

You two need to knock it off before I pull this car over. Knock it off with the prank calls — it's not funny anymore. She kept poking me, so I told her to knock it off.

Knock it off

Q: What does "Knock it off" mean?

Stop doing that; cut it out right now. A firm, no-nonsense command to stop an annoying, disruptive, or inappropriate behavior. More aggressive than 'stop it' but less harsh than profanity. Classic parent/teacher phrase but used among peers too.

American Slang Term American ★★★★★ Very Common Casual

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Meaning: Stop doing that; cut it out right now.

别闹了；马上给我住手。

Deja de hacer eso; para ya ahora mismo.

やめろ。今すぐそれをやめなさい。

그만해; 당장 그거 멈춰.

A firm, no-nonsense command to stop an annoying, disruptive, or inappropriate behavior. More aggressive than 'stop it' but less harsh than profanity. Classic parent/teacher phrase but used among peers too.

一种严厉的、不容商量的命令，让人停止烦人、捣乱或不当的行为。比'stop it'更强硬，但没有脏话那么重。是家长和老师的经典用语，朋友之间也会用。

Una orden firme y directa para que alguien deje de hacer algo molesto, disruptivo o inapropiado. Más agresivo que 'para' pero menos brusco que una palabrota. Frase clásica de padres y profesores, pero también se usa entre iguales.

迷惑、邪魔、または不適切な行動をやめさせるための断固とした命令。「やめて」よりも強いが、罵り言葉ほどきつくはない。親や先生の定番フレーズだが、仲間同士でも使われる。

성가시거나 방해되거나 부적절한 행동을 멈추라는 단호하고 직설적인 명령이다. '그만해'보다 강하지만 욕보다는 덜 거칠다. 부모나 선생님의 전형적인 표현이지만 또래 사이에서도 쓴다.

Examples

You two need to knock it off before I pull this car over.
你们两个再不停下来我就靠边停车了。
Los dos tenéis que parar ya o paro el coche.
二人ともいい加減にしないと、車を止めるよ。
둘 다 당장 그만하지 않으면 차 세울 거야.
Knock it off with the prank calls — it's not funny anymore.
别再打恶作剧电话了——一点都不好笑。
Deja de una vez con las llamadas de broma — ya no tiene gracia.
いたずら電話はもうやめろ——面白くないぞ。
장난 전화 그만해 — 이제 더 이상 안 웃겨.
She kept poking me, so I told her to knock it off.
她一直戳我，我就叫她赶紧住手。
No paraba de darme golpecitos, así que le dije que parase.
彼女がずっと突いてくるから、やめてと言った。
그녀가 계속 찔러서 그만하라고 했어.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: annoyance, discipline, warnings

Tone: firm, irritated

✓ Do Say

Knock it off!
Knock it off!
¡Para ya!
いい加減にしろ！
그만 좀 해!
Hey, knock it off.
Hey, knock it off.
Eh, déjalo ya.
おい、やめろよ。
야, 그만해.

✗ Don't Say

Less formal than 'please stop' — use with people you're comfortable with.
没有'请停下来'那么正式——跟熟悉的人用比较合适。
Menos formal que 'por favor, para' — úsalo con personas de confianza.
「やめてください」よりカジュアル——気心の知れた相手に使う。
'그만해 주세요'보다 격식이 낮으니 편한 사이에서 사용하는 것이 좋다.

Origin & History

American English command from the early-to-mid 20th century. Possibly from the auctioneer's practice of knocking (banging the gavel) to end bidding — 'knocking off' the sale.

Cultural Context

Era: Classic — still current

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Regional notes: All regions