The Archive

Etymology Journal ยท Y

You could knock me over with a feather

Meaning

Used to express complete and total shock or disbelief. It implies that you are so weak from surprise that even the slightest nudge would topple you over.

Dramatic, surprised

Used in a sentence

  • I cannot believe he actually quit his job to become a full-time llama farmer.
  • When they told me I won the raffle I was so stunned you could knock me over with a feather.
  • She said yes to the proposal after only two weeks so you could knock me over with a feather.

The backstory

This phrase appeared in print as early as the 1600s. It likely plays on the idea of being physically overcome by an emotion so strong it drains all your strength.

Heard in

Nationwide

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