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"Knocks objects and creatures backwards."
— Description[src]

The Knockback Jinx (Flipendo)[1] was a jinx that knocked the target backwards.[2] While prominently used for duelling, it could also be used to push heavy objects.[3] It was covered in Quentin Trimble's The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection, a Defence Against the Dark Arts textbook.[1]

History[]

"Today we will be learning the Knockback Jinx–an excellent spell for pushing things out of the way!"
— Professor Flitwick introducing this spell to first-year students in Charms class[src]
Flipendo

The Knockback Jinx in action

During the 1984–1985 school year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Professor Filius Flitwick taught his first-years how to cast this jinx in Charms class.[2]

During the 1991–1992 school year, this jinx was instead taught to first-years in the Defence Against the Dark Arts class by Professor Quirinus Quirrell, who were taught how to cast the spell both defensively and practically.[8]

A spellbook detailing how to cast this spell was owned by Garrick Ollivander.[8]

This spell was heavily used by volunteer members of the Statute of Secrecy Task Force to help knock back beasts that were guarding various Confoundables, such as gnomes, pixies and trolls, to overpower the strange artefacts and return them to their rightful place.[4]

Effect[]

The Knockback Jinx, depending on the point of impact, might feel like a blow to the chest, knocking back a victim or object,[1] or might feel like being knocked over the head with a frying pan, leaving the victim a bit disoriented. A "loud bang" was also emitted when cast.[9] The jinx could also break fragile objects.[8][3]

Knockback Jinx Duo,[8] Flipendo Tria[8] and Flipendo Maxima[10] were all more powerful variations of the Knockback Jinx which all knocked the target back with greater force.

Known uses[]

"There was a loud bang and he felt himself flying backwards as if punched; as he slammed into the kitchen wall and slid to the floor, he glimpsed the tail of Lupin's cloak disappearing round the door."
— Remus Lupin uses this spell on Harry Potter[src]
Caster(s) Date Notes
Unidentified 19th-century Hogwarts student 1890–1891 school year Taught this spell by Professor Mirabel Garlick.[11]
Merula Snyde 1984–1985 school year Used this jinx on Jacob's sibling in the Clock Tower Courtyard before the start of their duel.[7]
Minerva McGonagall 1985–1986 school year Used this jinx in a failed attempt to free Ben Copper from cursed ice.[12]
Jacob's sibling 1986–1987 school year Attempted to use this jinx on Corrine Cribb with wandless magic in Knockturn Alley, although Cribb was able to dodge the jinx.[13]
1988–1989 school year Frequently used this jinx in Defence Against the Dark Arts class to repel Pixies.[14]
Used this jinx on Chiara Lobosca to knock her out of the way of Ismelda and her friends' Full Body-Bind Curse.[15]
Used this jinx to incapacitate Rowan Khanna when they were bewitched with the Imperius Curse.[16]
1990–1991 school year Used this jinx to knockback a Doxy that had bitten Corey Hayden in the Artefact Room.[17]
Used it to knock the Doxy Queen into bathwater mixed with Doxycide in the Prefects' Bathroom to drown her.[18]
Wandlessly used it to push the Crown of Mneme in the Shrieking Shack under a piano so they could escape their father Peregrine and Verucca Buckthorn-Snyde.[19]
Bill Weasley 1986–1987 school year Used it in an attempt to break Tulip Karasu's padlock on Jacob's room, but was unsuccessful.[20]
Ismelda Murk 1988–1989 school year Used this jinx to knock Jae Kim off this broomstick during the final round of the Tournament of Clubs, rendering him unconscious.[21]
Dobby (possibly) 30 May 1993 After Lucius Malfoy realised that Harry Potter had freed Lucius's House-elf, Dobby, with a sock, he made to attack Harry. To protect Harry, Dobby used magic that sent Lucius flying backwards. As this was accomplished by House-elf magic - without a wand - it was probably not the same as a traditional Knockback Jinx, but the effect was certainly comparable.[22]
Alastor Moody (possibly) 18 June 1996 During the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, Alastor Moody possibly used this jinx to knock a Death Eater off the ground and hit a large rock before disappearing behind it.[23]
Severus Snape June 1997 Used this jinx on Harry Potter when escaping Hogwarts Castle alongside the Death Eaters.[24]
Remus Lupin 1 September 1997 On 1 September 1997, Harry had this spell used on him once more, this time by Remus Lupin at 12 Grimmauld Place.[9]
Draco Malfoy September 2020 Used in a duel against Harry Potter in Harry's house.[25]

Known practitioners[]

Etymology[]

The spell's incantation is derived from the English words "flip" and "end", simply meaning "to flip someone onto their end".

Behind the scenes[]

Flipendo Button

A Flipendo Button

FlipendoPAS

Flipendo as seen in Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells

Spellpath flipendo 3 light

This spell's wand movement as seen in Harry Potter: Wizards Unite

  • This spell seems to have originated in the early video game adaptations rather than in the books or films. It was then known only by its incantation, Flipendo (except the PS1 versions), and appeared to be cast mostly on objects and occasionally on animate targets such as creatures and humans.
    • In those games, Harry (the player) can cast this spell on Flipendo Buttons to activate certain mechanisms such as lifting a portcullis or moving flying platforms.[8]
  • This jinx can be bought at Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment in Diagon Alley in LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (where the spell produces a red light),[5] and in Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes in LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 (where conversely, it produces a purple light).[6] In both games, as opposed to knocking the target over, it sends them flying in the air and causes them to strike hard upon the ground twice.[5][6]
  • Every time Harry had this jinx used on him, it was because he had called the caster a coward.[24][9]
  • In the film adaptations, the Stunning Spell can have the same effects of this jinx - knocking an opponent over or sending them flying through the air, though it can also simply render the target unconscious or sedated without exerting force on them. The spell also shares similarities with the Disarming Charm and the Banishing Charm, with that in the films, it is used to knock down or send a target flying, sometimes to the extent of rendering a target unconscious.
  • In some video game adaptations, specifically the older titles, the Knockback Jinx was used as the main spell for attacking creatures.
  • In Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, the Knockback Jinx is covered in Charms class. This seems somewhat unusual, as defensive and offensive spells have not been shown as being part of the Charms curriculum, but Defence Against the Dark Arts instead. Though jinxes, hexes and curses can be grouped together in a category called Dark charms, meaning by definition they are considered charms. It can also be used in Duelling as a Sneaky move, dealing 15 base damage, boosted by high Courage.

Appearances[]

Wiki
The Harry Potter Wiki has 5 images related to Knockback Jinx.

Notes and references[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Pottermore - The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 1, Chapter 7 (Class Matters) - Charms Lesson "Flipendo"
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)
  4. 4.0 4.1 Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 1, Chapter 5 (The Duel)
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 11 (The Bribe)
  10. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 6, Chapter 18 (Into the Forest)
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 Hogwarts Legacy, Assignment Quest "Professor Garlick's Assignment 2"
  12. 12.0 12.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 2, Chapter 3 (The Black Quill)
  13. 13.0 13.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 3, Side Quest "The Amazing Adventures of the Spectacular Giant Dung Beetle"
  14. 14.0 14.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 5, Chapter 7 (The Life and Death of Duncan Ashe) - Defence Against the Dark Arts Lesson "Pixies"
  15. 15.0 15.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 5, "THE QUIBBLER: FIGHT FOR THE FRONT PAGE" Achievement
  16. 16.0 16.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 5, Chapter 19 (The Unforgivable Curses)
  17. 17.0 17.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 7, Chapter 16 (Trials and Tribulations)
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 7, Chapter 18 (Long Live the Doxy Queen)
  19. 19.0 19.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 7, Chapter 51 (A Simple Demonstration)
  20. 20.0 20.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 3, Chapter 5 (Tulip Karasu)
  21. 21.0 21.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 5, "THE TOURNAMENT OF CLUBS" Achievement
  22. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 18 (Dobby's Reward)
  23. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 28 (Flight of the Prince)
  25. 25.0 25.1 Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Act Two, Scene Thirteen
  26. 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 1, Chapter 9 (Inside the Room)
  27. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 2, Side Quest "Slytherin Schemes"
  28. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 2, Chapter 8 (Training the Team)
  29. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 5, Chapter 32 (The Trouble With Ben)
  30. 30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 30.4 30.5 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)

See also[]

Charms (class)
PS Wingardium Leviosa feather
Charm-book writers and developers
Blagdon Blay · Daisy Pennifold · Delfina Crimp · Miranda Goshawk · Jarleth Hobart · Basil Horton · Helixa Hyslop · Syna Hyslop · Randolph Keitch · Levina Monkstanley · Orabella Nuttley · Mnemone Radford · Scarpin · Elliot Smethwyck · Felix Summerbee · Violeta Stitch
Professors Fortinbras · Filius Flitwick · Abraham Ronen · Unidentified male professor · Unidentified medieval professor
Textbooks Achievements in Charming · Extreme Incantations · Quintessence: A Quest · The Standard Book of Spells
Charms studied at Hogwarts
Anti-Alohomora Charm · Ascension Charm (Ascendio) · Banishing Charm (Depulso) · Blackboard Writing Spell · Blue sparks · Bombardment Spell (Bombarda) · Box Blasting Charm (Cistem Aperio) · Bubble-Head Charm · Cheering Charm · Cleaning Charm · Colour Change Charm (Colovaria) · Confundus Charm (Confundo) · Counter-charm for hiccoughs · Dancing Feet Spell (Tarantallegra) · Descendo · Disarming Charm (Expelliarmus) · Disillusionment Charm · Drought Charm · Entrancing Enchantments (theoretically) · Eradication Spell (Deletrius) · Engorgement Charm (Engorgio) · Extinguishing Spell · Fire-Making Spell (Incendio) · Freezing Charm (Immobulus) · Freezing Spell (Glacius) · Full Body-Bind Curse (Petrificus Totalus) · General Counter-Spell (Finite Incantatem) · Gouging Spell (Defodio) · Growth Charm · Ice Jinx · Impervius Charm (Impervius) · Knitting Charm · Knockback Jinx (Flipendo) · Leg-Locker Curse (Locomotor Mortis) · Levitation Charm (Wingardium Leviosa) · Locking Spell (Colloportus) · Locomotion Charm (Locomotor) · Lumos Solem Spell (Lumos Solem) · Mending Charm (Reparo) · Memory Charm (Obliviate) · Muffliato Charm (Muffliato) · Nonverbal spells · Pack Charm (Pack) · Red Sparks (Vermillious) · Reductor Curse (Reducto) · Scouring Charm (Scourgify) · Seize and pull charm (Carpe Retractum) · Severing Charm (Diffindo) · Shrinking Charm (Reducio) · Silencing Charm (Silencio) · Slowing Charm (Arresto Momentum) · Skurge Charm (Skurge) · Softening Charm (Spongify) · Spell for growing legs · Substantive Charm · Summoning Charm (Accio) · Tickling Charm (Rictusempra) · Unlocking Charm (Alohomora) · Vinegar to wine spell · Wand-Extinguishing Charm (Nox) · Wand-Lighting Charm (Lumos) · Lumos Maxima · Water-Making Spell (Aguamenti)
Defence Against the Dark Arts (D.A.D.A.)
Subjectsdada
D.A.D.A. at Hogwarts
Classroom 3C · Classroom 3C backrooms · Temporary Classroom · Hogwarts Turris Magnus · Teacher's Office · Storeroom · Staircase · Storage room · Lesson Cup · Race Cup · Duelling Club · Dumbledore's Army
Professors
Isidora Morganach · Dinah Hecat · Arsenius Jigger · Albus Dumbledore · Galatea Merrythought · 1984–1985 professor · 1985–1986 professor · 1986–1987 professor · 1987–1988 professor · Patricia Rakepick · 1989–1990 professor · First 1990–1991 professor · Olivia Green · Quirinus Quirrell · Gilderoy Lockhart · Remus Lupin · Bartemius Crouch Junior (as Alastor Moody) · Dolores Umbridge · Severus Snape · Amycus Carrow (as Dark Arts teacher) · Unidentified professor · Brindlemore
Textbooks
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection · Advanced Defence Against the Dark Arts · Break with a Banshee · Gadding with Ghouls · Holidays with Hags · Travels with Trolls · Voyages with Vampires · Wanderings with Werewolves · Year with the Yeti · The Essential Defence Against the Dark Arts · Defensive Magical Theory · Dark Arts Defence – Basics for Beginners · Confronting the Faceless · Defence Against the Dark Arts
Spells studied at Hogwarts under D.A.D.A.
Aqua Eructo · Boggart-Banishing Spell (Riddikulus) · Bombarda Maxima · Cave inimicum · Concealment Charms · Counter-curses · Counter-jinxes · Cruciatus Curse (Crucio) · Curse of the Bogies (Mucus ad Nauseam) · Cursed barrier spell · Densaugeo · Deprimo Spell (Deprimo) · Disarming Charm (Expelliarmus) · Ear-Shrivelling Curse · Everte Statum · Freezing Spell (Glacius) · Full Body-Bind Curse (Petrificus Totalus) · Fumos Duo · Green Sparks · Hex-Breaker· Hex-deflection · Hex Zapper · Homorphus Charm · Human-presence-revealing Spell (Homenum Revelio) · Impediment Jinx (Impedimenta) · Imperius Curse (Imperio) · Imperturbable Charm · Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra) · Knockback Jinx (Flipendo) · Lacarnum Inflamari · Langlock · Levitation Spell (Levioso) · Limbo Mist anticharm · Nonverbal spells · Patronus Charm (Expecto Patronum) · Pimple Jinx (Furnunculus) · Protective enchantments · Red Sparks (Vermillious) · Reductor Curse (Reducto) · Salvio hexia · Sea Urchin Jinx · Seize and pull charm (Carpe Retractum) · Shield Charm (Protego) · Smokescreen Spell (Fumos) · Snake-Vanishing Spell (Vipera Evanesca) · Softening Charm (Spongify) · Stretching Jinx · Tickling Charm (Rictusempra) · Tongue-Tying Curse (Mimblewimble) · Trip Jinx · Twitchy-Ears Hex · Verdimillious Charm (Verdimillious) · Verdimillious Duo Spell (Verdimillious) · Verdimillious Tria · Vermillious Duo · Vermillious Tria · Wand-Lighting Charm (Lumos)
Creatures studied at Hogwarts under D.A.D.A.
Banshee · Boggart · Chameleon Ghoul · Charmed skeleton · Cornish Pixie · Dementor · Dugbog · Erkling · Flesh-Eating Slug · Ghost · Ghoul · Gnome · Grindylow · Gytrash · Hag · Hinkypunk · Iguana · Imp · Inferius · Kappa · Manticore · Nocturnal beasts · Nogtail · Poltergeist · Red Cap · Snake · Troll · Vampire · Vampire bat · Werewolf · Yeti · Zombie
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