IDIOMS
World of sports
IN ENGLISH, THE BUSINESS WORLD DRAWS SIGNIFICANT INSPIRATION FROM THE WORLD OF SPORTS, WHICH IS REFLECTED IN MANY COMMONLY USED EXPRESSIONS. WE HAVE COMPILED A LIST OF OVER 130 SUCH EXPRESSIONS, COMPLETE WITH EXPLANATIONS AND EXAMPLES.
KNOCKOUT.
In a business context, 'knockout' describes a decisive action, strategy, or event that instantly determines an outcome. It is most commonly used to describe an overwhelming success that eliminates the competition or a mandatory requirement that disqualifies a candidate or proposal.
Derived from combat sports (boxing/MMA), where a 'knockout' signifies a strike that renders an opponent unable to continue, ending the fight immediately.
Examples of use in a business context:
The presentation was a knockout; the client was so impressed that they signed the contract on the spot.
Our new product line is a knockout success; we are currently outselling last year's figures 2-to-1.
The court's ruling was a knockout blow to our expansion plans; the settlement costs will force us to pivot our entire strategy.