[knock] {sth} on the head
1
to stop or put an end to something abruptly or decisively
The origin of the idiom "knock something on the head" is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated in Britain in the early 20th century. It is thought to have originated from the practice of slaughtering animals by hitting them on the head with a hammer. This phrase is often used in informal or casual language to indicate that something is finished or is no longer happening.
- The coach decided to knock the team's losing strategy on the head and implement a new game plan for the next match.
- The company decided to knock the project on the head because it was too expensive to continue and was not generating enough revenue.