punch (redirected from punched the clock)

be as pleased as Punch (old-fashioned)

to be very happy about something. 'How does Stella feel about becoming a granny?' 'She's as pleased as Punch.'

See also: please

be punch-drunk

to feel very tired and confused, especially after dealing with a difficult situation. Social workers are punch-drunk from the criticism they have received in recent months.

beat someone to the punch (American)

to do something before someone else does it. I was thinking of applying for that job but Carol beat me to the punch.

See also: beat

a one-two punch (American)

two unpleasant things which happen together. The weather delivered a one-two punch to gardeners with unseasonal freezing temperatures and strong winds.

pack a punch (informal)

if someone can pack a punch, they can hit very hard when they are fighting. He's a big guy - I should imagine he can pack a fair punch.

See also: pack

not pull any punches

to speak in an honest way without trying to be kind. This man doesn't pull any punches. I wouldn't like to get into an argument with him

See also: any, pull

punch someone's lights out (informal)

to hit someone hard again and again. He wouldn't shut up so I punched his lights out.

See also: lights

roll with the punches (American & Australian)

to be able to deal well with difficulties or criticism. The poor woman has been jeered at and threatened with her life, but she just rolls with the punches.

See also: roll

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beat someone to the punch

to do something before someone else can do it. I wanted to give my mother a camera, but my brother beat me to the punch.

Etymology: from boxing, in which good fighters are quick to react by punching (= hitting) the other fighter before they are hit

See also: beat

pack a punch

to have a powerful effect or influence. For big flavor, a blend of cumin, chili powder, coriander, cayenne, and black pepper packs a punch.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of pack a punch (= hit very hard)

See also: pack

pull no punches

to deal with something honestly without hiding anything. One congressional leader pulled no punches, saying “we have a recession.” The 20-minute training video pulls no punches, showing chilling pictures of accident victims.

Usage notes: often used in the form not pull any punches: The television network isn't pulling any punches with the subject matter on its new show.

pull your/its punches

See also: pull

pull your/its punches

to deal with something in a way that is not completely honest. I want you to tell me what you think, and don't pull your punches. The film pulls its punches by making a disaster seem romantic.

pull no punches

Etymology: based on boxing, from the literal meaning of pull your punches (= to not hit the other fighter as hard as you can)

See also: pull

punch a clock

1. to record on a special clock when you arrive and leave work. In some offices, if you don't punch a clock, you don't get paid.

2. to go to work every day. Someone who is retired doesn't have to punch a clock or commute.

See also: clock

punch in

to use a special machine to record the time you start working. If we punch in at 9 a.m., our actual starting time, the company automatically docks us 15 minutes.

punch in something

to enter information on a computer or other device by pressing keys. You punch in your code to get cash or your bank balance. Each door has a number pad, and for security you have to punch a number in to open the door.

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.

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.

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.

roll with the punches

to adjust to difficult events as they happen. She had to perform shortly after her brother died, but she rolled with the punches and put on a great show.

Etymology: based on boxing, from the literal meaning roll with the punches (= step back or to one side as you are being hit), so that you do not receive the full force of the attack

See also: roll