kneeing

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive

   The -ing form of knee: striking or pushing someone or something with your knee.

   Grammar: Takes an object: kneeing the ball.

   Patterns

   • kneeing someone in the something

   The referee penalized him for kneeing the goalkeeper.

   She kept kneeing the door until it opened.

   Kneeing an opponent is illegal in most sports.

2. 2nouncountablesport

   The act of hitting someone with the knee.

   Grammar: Usually appears in reports: a kneeing incident.

   The video showed an obvious kneeing in the second round.

   He was suspended for a kneeing during the match.

   Police investigated the kneeing outside the bar.

Word forms

Common combinations

kneeing an opponent

Kneeing an opponent will earn you a red card.

kneeing in the groin

The footage showed him kneeing a rival in the groin.

kneeing the door

She was kneeing the door shut because her arms were full.

accused of kneeing

The player was accused of kneeing a fan.

illegal kneeing

Illegal kneeing is penalized in rugby.

Synonyms and how they differ

striking

Striking is general and covers any body part, while kneeing is specifically with the knee.

elbowing

Elbowing uses the elbow and is often a sports foul.

kicking

Kicking uses the foot and is usually more obvious.

nudging

Nudging is a gentle push, whereas kneeing can be violent.

Word family

knee noun

a joint in the leg

knee verb

to hit with the knee

kneecap noun

bone at the front of the knee

Commonly confused: kneeing or kneeling?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “kneeing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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