be knocked sideways

be knocked sideways

To be damaged or harmed, possibly beyond repair. Primarily heard in UK. Our economy has really been knocked sideways by the recession.
See also: knock, sideways
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

be knocked sideways

BRITISH
If something is knocked sideways, it is severely damaged, and may not recover. Most of the country's trade unions have been knocked sideways in the past decade. Confidence in the British legal system has been knocked sideways. Compare with knock someone sideways.
See also: knock, sideways
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • sideways
  • beyond repair
  • knock back a drink
  • have had the Richard
  • Richard
  • knock up
  • knocked up
  • have it knocked
  • knock (one) sideways
  • knock somebody sideways
References in periodicals archive
Dynamo in action E prepared to be knocked sideways when Dynamo takes to the stage in Newcastle for his five magic shows.
An illusionist with a very real following; What's On Editor GORDON BARR catches up with magician Dynamo ahead of his five Metro Radio Arena shows
Instinctively, I made a diving lunge towards the board, only to be knocked sideways by a huge, blackbearded man who had the physique of Giant Haystacks.
HAPPY DAYS; Wet and wild but he who laughs last ..