knock the bejesus out of (someone or something)
knock the bejesus out of (someone or something)
1. To cause significant physical injury or damage to someone or something. ("Bejesus" is a mild euphemistic oath used here as an intensifying noun.) Tom caught some guy trying to break into his house and promptly knocked the bejesus out of him. The guy I bought this wardrobe from online said that it was good as new, but it looked like someone knocked the bejesus out of it when it arrived.
2. To cause someone or some group a great deal of turmoil, hardship, or difficulty. This economic recession really knocked the bejesus out of our company, but we're finally starting to recover. I'm sorry I haven't gotten back to you until now. Work has been knocking the bejesus out of me lately.
3. rude slang To defeat someone or some team decisively in a competition. The final score was 17-1? Wow, we really knocked the bejesus out of that team! I was doing pretty well for most of the tournament, but my opponent knocked the bejesus out of me in the semifinals.
See also: bejesus, knock, of, out
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
- bejeebers
- knock the bejeebers out of
- knock the bejeebers out of (someone or something)
- give (someone) the can
- can
- can (someone)
- canned
- put the boot to (one)
- the air
- get it over with