Come on knock it off vs Quit it vs Stop that

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Come on knock it off

InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)

Quit it

InformalTop 2,000 (common)

Stop that

InformalTop 2,000 (common)
 Come on knock it offQuit itStop that
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //kʌm ɒn nɒk ɪt ɒf//🇺🇸 //kʌm ɑn nɑk ɪt ɔf//🇬🇧 //kwɪt ɪt//🇺🇸 //kwɪt ɪt//🇬🇧 //stɒp ðæt//🇺🇸 //stɑp ðæt//
MeaningStop doing that.Stop doing something annoying.Tell someone to not continue something.
ExampleCome on, knock it off, you're being too loud!Please, quit it. You're being too loud!When the dog started barking loudly, I had to shout, 'Stop that!'
RegisterInformalInformalInformal
How commonBeyond 10,000 (less common)Top 2,000 (common)Top 2,000 (common)
Collocationscome on, knock it off, stop it, cut it out, give me a breakjust quit it, quit it now, don't quit itstop that noise, stop that behavior, stop that game
Antonymskeep it up, continue, carry on--
Common mistakesUsing in formal settings where it's too casual., Confusing with 'knock it off', which can sound more serious., Not using the correct tone; it sounds softer with a smile.'Quit it' should not be used in formal requests., Confused with 'stop it' which may sound more gentle., Using 'quit it' when asking for a favor.Using in too formal a context., Not realizing it can sound rude without context., Confusing with 'stop it' which tends to sound less abrupt.
Usage notesUse this phrase when you want someone to stop annoying behavior. It's friendly but can be harsh if overused.Use 'quit it' in casual situations among friends or when annoyed. It's not suitable for formal contexts.Used when you want someone to cease an action. Common in casual contexts; might not be appropriate in very formal situations.

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Come on knock it off
Quit it
Stop that

Frequently asked questions: Come on knock it off vs Quit it vs Stop that

What's the difference between Come on knock it off, Quit it, and Stop that?

Come on knock it off: Stop doing that. Quit it: Stop doing something annoying. Stop that: Tell someone to not continue something.

Can you show an example of each?

Come on knock it off: Come on, knock it off, you're being too loud! Quit it: Please, quit it. You're being too loud! Stop that: When the dog started barking loudly, I had to shout, 'Stop that!'

Can I use Come on knock it off, Quit it, and Stop that interchangeably?

Not always. Come on knock it off, Quit it, and Stop that are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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