Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. in senses of lit. or fig. violence or aggression.

2. (Aus./N.Z./US) an introduction, esp. a formal introduction of a man to a woman in whom he is interested; thus give one a knock-down, to give one an introduction.

1865		M.L. Byrn Adventures of Fudge Fumble 61: I asked the young man if he would go down some night and give me a ‘knock down’ to the family.
1887		Lantern (N.O.) 20 Aug. 3: An’ got a knock-down to all the officers.
1896		Ade Artie (1963) 19: Take me over and gi’ me a knock-down to the queen in the corner.
1900		A.H. Lewis ‘The Humming Bird’ in Sandburrs 28: I’ll bring him over to this boozin’ ken of ours, an’ cap youse a knock-down to him.
1905		Bulletin (Sydney) 2 Nov. 36/2: So the sale is made; and when Jim goes down to the ‘kick‘ at Mint ‘Crick,’ and expects to get a ‘knock-down’ to the ‘noo teacher,’ he scents himself to the very boots, and goeth forth like a rose leaf on the breeze to make his conquest.
1913		Van Loan ‘The Pitch-Out’ in Lucky Seventh (2004) 288: If ever I’d ever had a knock-down to her [...] I’d have some right to horn in.
1919		C.H. Thorp Handful of Ausseys 179: Well, ’e’ gives me a knock-down to ’is tart.
1922		Healesville & Yarra Glen Guardian (Vic.) 4/4: Maria gives me the knock-down to a shyin’ little shielah.
1926		D. Hammett ‘Assistant Murderer’ in Nightmare Town (2001) 142: A certain party comes to me a couple of days ago with a knock-down from a party that knows me.
1934		C. Drew ‘Shakespeare Harry’s Runner’ in Bulletin 27 June 49/2: [H]e took me out to his camp and gave me a knock- down to his ped. The name was Charlie Regan.
1935		J. Conroy World to Win 118: If you’re ever in St. Luke [...] I’ll give you a knock-down to all the local literati and so on.
1941		F. Sargeson ‘That Summer’ in Coll. Stories (1965) 156: He had his girl with him. I didn’t feel like butting in but he called me over and gave me a knock-down.
1958		Murtagh & Harris Cast the First Stone 212: I’ll give you a knockdown to one of my regular customers.
1966		P. Boyle At Night All Cats Are Grey 156: You should give me a knock-down to her.
1983		J. Byrell (con. 1959) Up the Cross 14: ‘How wouldja like a kockdown to good ole Bouncy?’.
1996		J. Byrell Lairs, Urgers & Coat-Tuggers xvi: [H]e was given a knockdown [...] to one Claude ‘Careful Claude’ Chenery .

3. (US) information.

1931		Irwin Amer. Tramp and Und. Sl. 118: Knock Down. – An introduction. Information. As one would knock something within reach of another.
1968		D. O’Grady A Bottle of Sandwiches 27: Thanks for the shower an’ the knock-down.

4. (Aus.) in financial/commercial uses [? abbr. knock-down money].