cold-cock
Punch someone unconscious
To cold-cock someone is to knock them out with a single punch, typically unexpected and to the head.
The blow comes without warning—the victim never sees it coming: He cold-cocked the guy before anyone could react.
The term emphasizes both the suddenness of the strike and the completeness of the knockout.
Strike with fist
- sucker punchUnanticipated strike without warning
- haymakerWild knockout punch
- wallopForceful strike or defeat
- slugNaked terrestrial mollusk
smack · hit · blow · strike · hook · uppercut · clock · belt
Not awake or aware
- stunDaze by force
- knockoutIncapacitating final blow
- blackoutComplete power loss
- collapseSudden structural failure
faint · daze · concussion · KO · lights out · floor · deck · drop
Surprise strike from concealment
- blindsideSurprise with unexpected force
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- suddenOccurring without prior notice
- without warningUnexpectedly, lacking prior notice
sneak attack · unprovoked · from behind · cheap shot · caught off guard · unsuspecting · unaware · out of nowhere
punch
Strike with fist
- sucker punchUnanticipated strike without warning
- haymakerWild knockout punch
- wallopForceful strike or defeat
slug · smack · hit · blow · strike · hook · uppercut · clock · belt · sock
unconscious
Not awake or aware
collapse · faint · daze · concussion · KO · lights out · floor · deck · drop · flatten
ambush
Surprise strike from concealment
- blindsideSurprise with unexpected force
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- suddenOccurring without prior notice
sneak attack · without warning · unprovoked · from behind · cheap shot · caught off guard · unsuspecting · unaware · out of nowhere · bushwhack