The Open Dictionary

knocking shop

noun

UK/ˈnɒk.ɪŋ ˌʃɒp/
US/ˈnɑː.kɪŋ ˌʃɑːp/

Definitions of knocking shop noun

  1. CountableUsually singular

    A humorous term for a brothel.

    • The police raided the knocking shop, arresting several individuals.

    • He would occasionally visit the knocking shop, but never spoke of it to anyone.

    • The knocking shop in the small town used to be an open secret.