Knock socks off

Meaning

The idiom "knock socks off" means to impress or astonish someone greatly. It is used to describe an event, person, or thing that is so impressive or surprising that it takes one's socks off. The figurative meaning of this idiom is that it leaves a lasting impression on the listener, and they are left speechless or taken aback by what they have just experienced.

Usage

• The magician's performance knocked socks off everyone in the audience.
• She was so beautiful that I couldn't stop staring at her all night.
• His singing voice knocked socks off me; I had never heard anything like it before.
• When he told us about his past adventures, we were completely taken aback and our jaws dropped.
• The movie was so suspenseful that it kept me on the edge of my seat and left my socks off.

Roots and History

The origin of this idiom is unclear, but it has been in use since at least the 19th century. It may have originally referred to a physical act of removing someone's socks, but over time its figurative meaning has evolved to describe something that impresses or astonishes someone so much that they are left speechless or taken aback.

Synonyms in English

• Blow me down
• Flip me out
• Take my breath away
• Leave me speechless
• Stun me

Synonyms in other languages

• French: "Tuer mes cordes" - To kill my strings (this idiom means to stun someone)
• Spanish: "Pelear con el tiempo" - To fight with time (this idiom means to impress someone greatly)
• German: "Verrückt machen" - To make crazy (this idiom means to astonish someone)
• Italian: "Farsi farele" - To make you doze off (this idiom means to lull someone into a sense of wonder)
• Portuguese: "Achar-se ocorrer algo muito estranho" - To find something strange and surprising happening.

Similar Idioms

• keep your eyes peeled

• bundle of nerves

• bring someone to book