Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[missdaredevil]

Knock yourself out=help yourself?

[RedRose]

[stellara]

to knock someone out generally means so beat someone so hard the he lose consciousness, by the way maybe that helps. i think too, that to knock oneself out is meant the way Mr.Admiral described, so in some way that's a metaphorical use of its original meaning

greets
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Don't cry because it's over - smile because it happened!

MOKEY ROCKS!!!

[bud]

To knock out can mean all of your suggestions, given the right context. When "yourself" is added, it means what MsD or what MrA suggested. It is being used metaphorically, as Stellara said. It's often used sarcastically (but not always - as when it means, "Help yourself") when you do not want to participate in something.

Wife: I think I'm going to clean out the kitchen cabintes today! (Depending on how it is said, there could be a strong suggestion of, "Why don't you help me.")
Husband: Knock yourself out! ("Sounds good!" or "OK, but I'm not helping.")

Bill: I'm going to rewrite this sales proposal. I think it can be better.
Ted: Knock yourself out! ("Why? It's a great proposal already. You're not going to improve it.")

Friend: Hey, I'm going to grab myself a beer, OK?
Host: Knock yourself out! ("Sure, help yourself. You know where the fridge is!")

[advoca]

In Britain if someone said "Don't knock yourself out" they would mean do not over exert yourself.

"I'm going to spend the weekend digging the garden."
"Careful! Don't knock yourself out."

[bud]

That's another possibilty in the U.S., too.