Meaning & use
nock arrow
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phrasetechnicalsport
To fit the end of an arrow onto the string of a bow, ready to shoot.
Grammar: Used as a verb phrase: you nock an arrow, and you can say 'nock arrow' in instructions or compounds.
Patterns
- nock an arrow
- nock an arrow onto the string
- be ready to nock an arrow
The instructor told her to nock arrow and hold the bow steady.
He nocked an arrow, drew the string back, and waited for the signal.
Before you nock arrow, check that the bowstring is not frayed.
Common combinations
- nock an arrow
- She nocked an arrow and aimed at the target.
- draw and nock an arrow
- In the drill, the archers had to draw and nock an arrow within ten seconds.
- nock an arrow onto the string
- He carefully nocked an arrow onto the string.
Word family
Commonly confused: nock arrow or knock? nock arrow or notch?
nock arrow vs knock
'Knock' means to hit something and has a silent k; 'nock' means to fit an arrow to a bowstring.
nock arrow vs notch
A 'notch' is a small cut or V-shaped groove; a nock is the specific notch on an arrow.
Practice
Which sentence uses the archery term correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Nock' means to fit an arrow on the bowstring, so 'nocked an arrow' is correct. 'Knocked' means hit, which does not fit the archery action.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “nock arrow”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.