punch
/pʌntʃ/ (bre, ipa) · /pʌntʃ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈpənch/ (ame, mw)
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.
The coach showed the students how to throw a straight punch.
文法句型
punch + verb (landed/ threw/ missed)
常見錯誤
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.
文法句型
have/ lack/ add punch
pack a punch
用法筆記
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').
常見錯誤
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.
- cocktail
individual servings with spirits, not served from a large bowl
- fruit juice
unmixed single juice, not a combination of several ingredients
文法句型
fruit punch
a bowl of punch
用法筆記
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.
- hole puncher
less common but interchangeable; clearer for learners
- perforator
technical term, rarely used in everyday speech
文法句型
paper punch
leather punch
hole punch
用法筆記
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 — 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.
Nina wound up and punched the target as hard as she could.
文法句型
punch + object
punch + person + in/on + body part
用法筆記
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').
常見錯誤
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.
文法句型
punch + number/ code/ button + into + device
用法筆記
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.
The train conductor punches holes in tickets to show they were used.
文法句型
punch + a hole + in/ through + material
用法筆記
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.
- 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
文法句型
punch above + possessive + weight
用法筆記
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.