poleaxe – 1. To hit so hard someone falls down 2. Cause a great shock
(Pronounced pohl-aks)
To remember the definition of the word poleaxe, use the following mnemonic:
The pole was axed (poleaxe) down. It fell through the electric pylon causing shocks and then hit the ground so hard it caused everyone to fall down.
Examples of poleaxe in a sentence (1. To hit so hard someone falls down)
She managed to poleaxe her opponent with a single blow.
The shockwave from the blast could poleaxe someone 100 meters away.
He was poleaxed by the strike but didn't stay down long.
Examples of poleaxe in a sentence (2. Cause a great shock)
She was disappointed when her news failed to poleaxe her family.
Poleaxed by what he heard, he had to sit down.
The sudden loud bang poleaxed everyone in the library.
