![]() |
Warning!
At least some content in this article is derived from information featured in: Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells & Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery. |
- "Knocks objects and creatures backwards."
- — Description[src]
The Knockback Jinx[1] (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]

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 could be found in Ollivanders.[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]
"Engorgio!"
It is requested that this article, or a section of this article, should be expanded - Uses from Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery need expansion. Please help the Harry Potter Wiki by expanding this article to give more complete coverage of its subject. |
Caster(s) | Date | Notes |
---|---|---|
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] |
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.[11] |
1988–1989 school year | Frequently used this jinx in Defence Against the Dark Arts class to repel Pixies.[12] | |
Used this jinx on Chiara Lobosca to knock her out of the way of Ismelda and her friends' Full Body-Bind Curse.[13] | ||
Used this jinx to incapacitate Rowan Khanna who was bewitched with the Imperius Curse.[14] | ||
1990–1991 school year | Used this jinx to knockback a Doxy that had bitten Corey Hayden in the Artefact Room.[15] | |
Minerva McGonagall | 1985–1986 school year | Used this jinx in a failed attempt to free Ben Copper from cursed ice.[16] |
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.[17] |
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.[18] |
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.[19] |
Severus Snape | June 1997 | Used this jinx on Harry Potter when escaping Hogwarts Castle alongside the Death Eaters.[20] |
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.[21] |
Known practitioners
Etymology
The spell is derived from the English words "flip" and "end", simply meaning "to flip someone onto their end".
See also
Behind the scenes

Flipendo as seen in Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells

This spell's wand movement as seen in Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
- 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.[20][9]
- In the Philosopher's Stone video game adaptation, Harry (the player) can cast this spell on Flipendo Buttons to activate certain mechanisms such as lifting a portcullis or moving flying platforms.[8]
- 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, Stunning Spell, 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 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
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game) (First appearance)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Possible appearance)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film) (Possible appearance)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game) (Not in PC version)
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Possible appearance)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film) (Possible appearance)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game) (NDS and GBA versions only)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game) (Mobile version only)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (video game) (NDS version only)
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (play)
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay (Possible appearance)
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (film) (Possible appearance)
- Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald - The Original Screenplay (Possible appearance)
- Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (Possible appearance)
- LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
- LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
- Pottermore
- Harry Potter Trading Card Game
- Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
- Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Pottermore - The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection
- ↑ 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"
- ↑ 3.0 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)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 1, Chapter 5 (The Duel)
- ↑ 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)
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 11 (The Bribe)
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 6, Chapter 18 (Into the Forest)
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 3, Side Quest "The Amazing Adventures of the Spectacular Giant Dung Beetle"
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 5, Chapter 7 (The Life and Death of Duncan Ashe) - Defence Against the Dark Arts Lesson "Pixies"
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 5, "THE QUIBBLER: FIGHT FOR THE FRONT PAGE" Achievement
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 5, Chapter 19 (The Unforgivable Curses)
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 7, Chapter 16 (Trials and Tribulations)
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 2, Chapter 3 (The Black Quill)
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 5, "THE TOURNAMENT OF CLUBS" Achievement
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 18 (Dobby's Reward)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 28 (Flight of the Prince)
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Act Two, Scene Thirteen
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 1, Chapter 9 (Inside the Room)
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 2, Side Quest "Slytherin Schemes"
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 2, Chapter 8 (Training the Team)
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 5, Chapter 32 (The Trouble With Ben)
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 7, Chapter 18 (Long Live the Doxy Queen)