beat (one) to the punch
beat (one) to the punch
To do or obtain something before someone else does. The phrase is thought to have originated from boxing. Primarily heard in US. I was going to suggest that idea to the boss today, but unfortunately one of my co-workers beat me to the punch.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
beat someone to the punch
and beat someone to the drawFig. to do something before someone else does it. I wanted to have the new car, but Sally beat me to the punch. I planned to write a book about using the new software program, but someone else beat me to the draw.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
beat someone to the punch
anticipate or forestall someone's actions.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
beat to the punch/draw
Move more quickly than someone to accomplish something: for example, “We headed straight for the buffet, but others beat us to the punch and got most of the lobster salad.” Both versions of this cliché date from the mid-1800s and imply an aggressive move, the first alluding to fisticuffs and the second to drawing a pistol.
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer