Knocked Me Down with a Feather
Definition
An idiom used to describe overwhelming surprise, often to the point of near disbelief.
Origin
This hyperbole dates from the early nineteenth century. An early appearance in print is in William Cobbett’s Rural Rides (1821): “You might have knocked me down with a feather.”
The modern version often uses “could” instead of “might”: “You could have knocked me down with a feather.”
Similar Idioms
- Blown away: Equally means amazed or shocked. And no, not literally blowing someone away with a gust of wind!
- Flabbergasted: Taken aback or shocked; sounds like something out of a kids’ comic, doesn’t it?
- Stunned beyond belief: Essentially stupefied by something unexpected.
Synonyms
- Astonished
- Amazed
- Dumbstruck
- Gobsmacked (a quirky British term that conjures amusing imagery!)
- Bewildered
Antonyms
- Unmoved
- Unimpressed
- Nonchalant
Witticisms and Quotes
🦩 “I was so surprised, you could’ve knocked me over with a rubber chicken.”
Proverbs and Common Phrases
- “Seeing is believing.”
- “Truth is stranger than fiction.”
- “Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts.” —Albert Einstein
Literature, Movies, and More
- Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll: The story itself feels like one big hyperbole.
- Wow, No Thank You. by Samantha Irby: Delightfully shocked writing, much like our dear old feather hyperbole.
- 🎬 Movie: Forrest Gump – The line “Life is like a box of chocolates” invokes surprise!
- 🎶 Song: You Were Meant For Me by Jewel – It captures universal surprises of love and life.
@All Rights Reserved by E. X. Ploratory - 2023
Published: October 7, 2023
### Which of these expressions means overwhelming surprise?
- [x] Could have knocked me down with a feather
- [ ] Running like a gipsy cartwheel
- [ ] Sleeping beauty’s nap
- [ ] Wandering with borrowed shoes
> **Explanation:** "Could have knocked me down with a feather" invokes an image of such sheer surprise that the faintest pressure would topple you over. The others? Keep dreamin’!
### Which saying means almost the same as ‘Knocked me down with a feather’?
- [x] Blown away
- [ ] Running on the hamster wheel
- [ ] Counting pennies in a jar
- [ ] Waving with a wilted tree branch
> **Explanation:** "Blown away" refers to being utterly surprised or amazed. The rest are just fanciful nonsense!
### True or False: ‘Flabbergasted’ is an expression of surprise.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** "Flabbergasted" certainly means overwhelmed with shock or amazement. Might sound comical, but it's legit!
Inspirational and thought-provoking farewell: May your days be filled with whimsical surprises that could knock you over with a feather, leaving joy and wonder in their wake.
