punch
punch — noun
1. a hard hit with a closed hand, especially one thrown during a fight or in boxing
a hard hit with a closed hand, especially one thrown during a fight or in boxing
João landed a punch on the bag at the gym.
land a punch — collocation with fist hit
A single punch broke the wooden board during the practice session.
The boxer's final punch knocked his opponent to the mat.
Sirin threw a wild punch but missed the target completely.
throw a punch — common verb collocation
The coach showed the students how to throw a straight punch.
- land a punch
- throw a punch
- deliver a punch
- take a punch
- a knockout punch
Grammar Patterns
punch + verb (landed/ threw/ missed)
Common Mistakes
2. the quality of being exciting, interesting, or effective — the power to make peo
the quality of being exciting, interesting, or effective — the power to make people pay attention or feel strongly
The speech lacked punch, and the audience looked bored by the end.
lack punch — uncountable noun showing absence of impact
Asher added more punch to the report by including colourful photos.
add punch to [something] — verb + noun collocation
This chili sauce has a real punch that stays on your tongue.
The movie's opening scene had real dramatic punch.
Greta's presentation needs more punch to hold people's attention.
- lack punch
- add punch
- pack a punch
- real punch
- extra punch
Grammar Patterns
have/ lack/ add punch
pack a punch
Usage Note
Can be modified by adjectives like 'real', 'extra', 'more', 'real'. Frequently appears in the phrase 'pack a punch' (e.g., 'This little car packs quite a punch').
Common Mistakes
3. a beverage prepared by combining several fruit juices with chopped fruit and som
a beverage prepared by combining several fruit juices with chopped fruit and sometimes wine or spirits, typically offered from a large bowl at social events
Zuri brought a large bowl of fruit punch to the party.
fruit punch — common compound noun
The host served warm spiced punch at the winter festival.
Hui added slices of orange and lemon to the punch for decoration.
Rohan mixed a non-alcoholic punch with apple and cranberry juice.
A cup of hot punch helped everyone warm up by the fireplace.
- fruit punch
- bowl of punch
- spiced punch
- non-alcoholic punch
- hot punch
- cocktail
individual servings with spirits, not served from a large bowl
- fruit juice
unmixed single juice, not a combination of several ingredients
Grammar Patterns
fruit punch
a bowl of punch
Usage Note
When describing the alcohol content, use 'spiked punch' (with alcohol) or 'non-alcoholic punch'. 'Fruit punch' usually refers to a non-alcoholic version.
4. a device with a sharp metal component that creates openings when pressed through
a device with a sharp metal component that creates openings when pressed through materials such as paper, leather, or metal
Eve used a paper punch to make holes for the ring binder.
paper punch — common tool name
The leather punch created clean round holes in the new belt.
Cole bought a heavy-duty punch for cutting holes in metal sheets.
A ticket punch clicks loudly when it cuts through cardboard tickets.
The art teacher used a decorative punch to cut heart shapes from card.
- paper punch
- leather punch
- hole punch
- ticket punch
- decorative punch
- hole puncher
less common but interchangeable; clearer for learners
- perforator
technical term, rarely used in everyday speech
Grammar Patterns
paper punch
leather punch
hole punch
Usage Note
When the context is clear, speakers may shorten 'hole punch' or 'paper punch' to just 'punch' (e.g., 'Pass me the punch'). Compound forms reduce ambiguity.
punch in
phrasal verbto record the time you arrive at work by inserting a card into a machine or pressing a button
Every morning Mark punches in at exactly eight o'clock sharp.
The factory workers punch in before putting on their safety gear.
punch out
phrasal verbto record the time you leave work by using a time clock or electronic system
Aaron punched out at five and headed straight to the train station.
The night staff punch out after the morning crew arrives to take over.
pack a punch
idiomto have a very strong effect, whether physically (a hard hit) or figuratively (something surprising or powerful)
That little sports car may look small, but its engine packs a real punch.
The singer's short performance packed a punch and left the crowd cheering.
to do something before another person has the chance to do it, gaining an advantage
Lara wanted to buy the last ticket, but Aylin beat her to the punch.
Our competitor beat us to the punch by releasing their product one week early.
to adapt to difficult or unexpected situations without complaining, learning to handle problems as they come
The project kept changing, but the team learned to roll with the punches.
When her flight was cancelled, Zola decided to roll with the punches and stay another day.
punch — verb
1. to strike a person or thing using a closed fist, often during a fight or in the
to strike a person or thing using a closed fist, often during a fight or in the sport of boxing
Théo punched the heavy bag until his knuckles were sore and red.
punch + direct object (heavy bag)
The two boys punched each other during the argument in the yard.
reciprocal: punch each other
Kofi punched the wall in frustration after losing the final match.
The security guard punched the intruder squarely in the stomach.
punch + person + in + body part
Nina wound up and punched the target as hard as she could.
- punch someone in the face
- punch a wall
- punch a bag
- punch the air
Grammar Patterns
punch + object
punch + person + in/on + body part
Usage Note
Commonly followed by a body part using the pattern 'punch [someone] in [body part]' — e.g., 'He punched me in the arm.' The passive form is frequent in news reports ('The victim was punched in the face').
Common Mistakes
2. to push the controls of a phone, computer, or calculator using your fingertips,
to push the controls of a phone, computer, or calculator using your fingertips, especially when entering numbers or text
Darius punched the numbers into the calculator and checked the total.
punch + number + into + device
Sirin punched the access code into the keypad to open the door.
The cashier punched the price of each item into the register.
Asher punched the keyboard angrily when the computer froze again.
Hui punched the elevator button several times before it finally arrived.
- punch in a number
- punch a code
- punch a button
- punch the keys
Grammar Patterns
punch + number/ code/ button + into + device
Usage Note
This sense sounds slightly informal or old-fashioned. For computers, 'type' or 'enter' is more neutral. 'Punch' is still common for phones, calculators, and keypads.
3. to create an opening in a material such as paper, fabric, or metal by pressing a
to create an opening in a material such as paper, fabric, or metal by pressing a specialized tool or device through it
Kofi punched a hole through the leather strap for the belt buckle.
punch a hole through [material]
The office machine punches fifty holes per sheet of paper at once.
João punched a ticket for each passenger boarding the night train.
Felix punched a new hole in his belt to make the fit tighter.
punch a hole in [object]
The train conductor punches holes in tickets to show they were used.
- punch a hole
- punch a ticket
- punch paper
- punch leather
Grammar Patterns
punch + a hole + in/ through + material
Usage Note
When the object is the hole itself (e.g., 'punch a hole'), the preposition 'in' or 'through' indicates the material. When the object is the material (e.g., 'punch a ticket'), the hole is implied.
4. to date or form a partnership with somebody considered better looking, more acco
to date or form a partnership with somebody considered better looking, more accomplished, or from a higher social class than yourself — almost always in the fixed expression 'punch above your weight'
Everyone says Zuri is punching above her weight with that new partner.
punch above your weight — fixed idiomatic phrase
Théo knows he is punching above his weight, but their relationship is strong.
Anna felt she was punching above her weight in the new relationship.
Eli joked that his brother was punching above his weight with his girlfriend.
Mark is definitely punching above his weight — his partner is a famous singer.
- punch above your weight
- punching above his weight
- overachieve
more general; not limited to relationships; sounds more formal
- punch above one's weight
the only natural expression for this specific social/romantic context
Grammar Patterns
punch above + possessive + weight
Usage Note
Almost always used in the fixed phrase 'punch above your weight'. Can also be used in non-romantic contexts to describe doing better than expected in business, sports, or competitions.
Common Mistakes
punch in
phrasal verbTo record the time you arrive at work by using a special machine or system.
Diego punched in at 8:55 AM every morning last week.
Did you remember to punch in before starting your shift?
punch into
phrasal verbTo enter information or a command by pressing buttons or keys on a device.
Sara punched the code into the keypad to open the door.
Please punch your password into the computer to log in.
punch out
phrasal verbTo record the time you leave work by using a special machine or system.
Brian punched out at exactly 5:00 PM yesterday.
Don't forget to punch out before you leave the building.
punch up
phrasal verbTo make something more interesting, lively, or effective by adding new elements.
The editor punched up the article with some colorful quotes.
We need to punch up the presentation with more visuals.
To try to achieve more than what is expected based on your abilities or resources.
Our small company punches above its weight in the tech industry.
Despite being a rookie, Maya punched above her weight and won the race.
Word family
- punchernounC1
- punchyadjectiveC1
- punchingadjectiveB2
- punchedadjectiveB2
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
All four words describe making physical contact with force, but each has a distinct method and tone. 'Punch' specifically means hitting with a closed fist — it is the only one that requires a fist. 'Hit' is the most general and neutral word; you can hit something with your hand, a stick, a ball, or a car. 'Strike' is more formal and often appears in news reports or legal language ('The officer struck the suspect'). 'Slap' means hitting with an open hand, usually across the face, and implies a different motion and intention — often quicker and less damaging than a punch. 'Beat' means hitting repeatedly over time, not just once. For example: 'She slapped him once across the cheek' (open hand, one hit) vs. 'She punched him in the jaw' (closed fist, one hard hit) vs. 'The gang beat him with sticks' (repeated hits).
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'punch' has two main origins that later merged in English. The 'hit' meaning and the 'hole-making tool' meaning both come from Latin 'pungere' (to prick or pierce), which passed through Old French 'poinçonner' (to pierce) into Middle English as 'pounchen'. The 'drink' meaning has a separate origin: it comes from the Hindi word 'pā̃c' (meaning 'five'), because the original drink had five ingredients — spirits, sugar, lemon, water, and tea or spices. British sailors and traders brought the drink and its name back to England in the 1600s. Over time, the two unrelated meanings became one word.