• strike a surface noisily to attract attention, especially when waiting to be let in through a door

Synonyms: bang, tap, rap, thump, pound, hammer

• collide with (someone or something), giving them a hard blow

Synonyms: collide with, bump into, bang into, knock against, hit, strike, be in collision with, run into, crash into, smash into, plough into, slam into, dash against, ram, jolt

• talk disparagingly about; criticize

Synonyms: criticize, find fault with, run down, disparage, belittle, depreciate, deprecate, detract from, give a bad press to, cast aspersions on, scoff at, deride, jeer at, carp at, cavil at

• approach (a specified age)

• a sudden short sound caused by a blow, especially on a door to attract attention or gain entry

Synonyms: tap, rap, rat-tat, rat-tat-tat, knocking, bang, banging, beating, pounding, hammering, drumming, thump, thud

• a blow or collision

Synonyms: bump, blow, bang, striking, beating, jolt, jar, jarring, shock, blow, bang, stroke, hit, slap, smack, crack, buffet, punch, cuff, thump, box

• an innings, especially of an individual batter