punch out

punch out

to use a special machine to record the time you stop working. Workers are kicking mud off their shoes and punching out at the construction trailer, weary after another 12-hour day.

See also: punch

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punch out someone/something

to hit someone or something. Barry lost his job for punching out his boss. He loved to hang out at local taverns and punch people out.

See also: punch

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punch out something

1. to press buttons or keys on a computer or other device. In a panic, she grabbed her mobile phone and punched out 911. You'd hand a page to the operator and write the next one while he was punching the first page out.

2. to press something hard to remove it from something larger of which it is a part. The ceiling panel was punched out so workers could reach the wires above it. First you have to cut along the lines of each piece with a razor blade, and then you can punch it out.

See also: punch