Are you looking for a way to motivate someone's performance? If so, you could tell them to "knock it out of the park." This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The expression "knock it out of the park" acts as a motivating statement. You can use the phrase before someone undertakes a task to inspire them to perform.
Or, you could use it as a congratulatory statement commending their performance. The saying refers to outstanding performance or achieving your goals with a project or task.
It also refers to excelling with a task or project. The person gives their utmost commitment and dedication to securing a favorable outcome.
Example Usage
"Get out there, Jim. We want to see you knock it out of the park. You can do it."
"I know you can knock it out of the park. I have faith in you."
"Man, Mark really knocked it out of the park with that last sale. Now he's too far ahead on the leaderboard for anyone to catch him this month."
"Good luck with your exam today, Kim. I hope you knock it out of the park."
"We'll knock it out of the park, I promise. You can rely on us to give it everything we have."
"I was expecting them to knock it out of the park, not fail in such a spectacular fashion."
"Go ahead, knock it out of the park; nothing is stopping you now."
Origin
The origin of the expression "knock it out of the park" comes from the sport of baseball. The phrase first appears in print in the late 1800s. The term refers to baseball in its context and in a literal sense.
The first written record of the saying appears in the Launchestion Examiner in December 1894, where it appears as follows.
"The new junior team possesses a splendid hitter in Richards, who managed four times to hit the ball out of the park."
The phrase would integrate into everyday language in the early 1900s. The saying would morph from its baseball origins to refer to outstanding performance.
Language experts are unsure about the phrase's first use as a motivating statement. However, it's thought it comes from the introduction of corporate culture in the 1960s.
Phrases Similar to Knock It Out of the Park
- Smashing success.
- Give it your best shot.
- Well done.
- Make it happen.
Phrases Opposite to Knock It Out of the Park
- Lackluster performance.
- Try harder.
What is the Correct Saying?
- Knock it out of the park.
- Knock it out the park.
Ways People May Say Knock It Out of the Park Incorrectly
While you can use the phrase “knock it out of the park” at a baseball game, it’s not the common use of the saying.
Most people use it to describe an outstanding performance or encourage others to give it their best shot.
The phrase is common around the globe, and many people use it in countries that don’t play baseball as a national pastime.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Knock It Out of the Park
You can use “knock it out of the park” as a motivating statement to someone else or describe your best performance. The phrase suits professional and social use.
For instance, you could tell your friend to knock it out of the park if they tell you they’re going for a job interview. You could tell your sales team to knock it out of the park on the next campaign.
The phrase acts as a motivating statement to encourage someone’s performance, or it can be a congratulatory statement to someone, complimenting them on an outstanding result.