punch

punch1 [ pʌntʃ ] verb transitive *

1. ) to hit someone or something with your FIST (=closed hand), usually as hard as you can:

Two men punched him, knocking him to the ground.

She punched her pillow angrily.

a ) to press a button or switch:

David punched a button on the television.

2. ) to make a hole in something with a tool or machine:

She held out her ticket for the conductor to punch.

punch the air

to show that you are very pleased by punching the air with your FIST (=closed hand)

,punch `in phrasal verb

1. ) transitive to enter information into a machine by pressing keys or buttons:

If you punch in the wrong code, the alarm sounds.

2. ) intransitive or transitive AMERICAN to record the time you arrive at work by putting a card into a machine:

Laura punched in at 7:30 a.m.

,punch `out phrasal verb intransitive or transitive AMERICAN

to record the time that you leave work by putting a card into a machine:

He punched out early and went home.

punch someone's lights out INFORMAL

to hit someone so hard that they fall and cannot get up

punch

punch 2 [ pʌnts ] noun *

1. ) count the action of hitting someone or something with your FIST (=closed hand):

throw/land a punch: Bellamy landed a series of good punches.

can/can't take a punch (=is difficult/easy to hurt): Nichols can't take a punch.

2. ) count or uncount a sweet drink made with fruit juice and usually alcohol:

a bowl of fruit punch

3. ) uncount the emotional power of something such as a performance that affects how people feel:

Many British movies lack emotional punch.

4. ) count a tool for making a hole in something

(as) pleased as punch INFORMAL

extremely pleased about something

beat someone to the punch

to manage to do or say something before someone else does it:

He wanted to ask Mary to dance, but Ron beat him to the punch.

not pull any/your punches

to express your feelings and opinions, especially criticism, very clearly:

James did not pull any punches in his criticism of our work.

pack a punch

have a strong effect on someone or something:

a drink that packs a punch

roll with the punches

to accept both the good and the bad that life, or a situation, brings:

Being an actor isn't easy, but I've learned to roll with the punches.