be able to take a punch

To have the physical strength and fortitude to withstand the impact of a punch without being knocked over or incapacitated. He works out all the time, but he wasn't even able to take a punch when that guy from the bar slugged him over the weekend. Look, being able to take a punch has no value in modern society unless you're a bouncer or a boxer. Yeah, and what if that jerk is able to take a punch and comes back swinging at you, huh?