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What does "punch" mean?

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In addition to the idioms beginning with punch, also see beat to it (the punch); can't punch one's way out of a paper bag; pack a punch; pleased as punch; pull no punches; roll with the punches; sucker punch; throw a punch.

See punch in WNW Idioms

beat to the punch

to be quicker than (another) in doing something, as in striking a blow

pull one's punches

Informal

Boxing to deliver blows that are intentionally ineffective
to attack, criticize, etc. in an intentionally ineffective manner

punch a (time) clock

to insert a timecard into a time clock when coming to or going from work

punch in

â to record the time of one's arrival by means of a time clock
to feed (data) as into a computer by pressing buttons or keys

punch out

â to record the time of one's departure by means of a time clock
Slang to beat up

punch up

Brit., Informal to beat up
Informal to enhance, accentuate, or heighten the effect of to punch up a dish with spices

pleased as Punch

greatly pleased or gratified

See punch in American Heritage Dictionary 4 Idioms

beat to the punch

To make the first decisive move: a marketing team that beat all the competitors to the punch.

pleased as Punch

Highly pleased; gratified.

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