What is "knock the living daylights out of"

alt. 1 (context idiomatic English) To beat or strike someone. 2 (context idiomatic English) To thoroughly and decisively defeat someone in a physical fight, especially by knock out that person. 3 (context figurative English) To greatly excel against (someone or something). vb. 1 (context idiomatic English) To beat or strike someone. 2 (context idiomatic English) To thoroughly and decisively defeat someone in a physical fight, especially by knock out that person. 3 (context figurative English) To greatly excel against (someone or something).