Skip to main content
to punch

to punch

136 1.8
To make a hole in paper or leather with a small tool
  • verb
  • /pʌnʧ/
translation icon : perforar
  • You have to punch this button.
  • punch a hole
  • punch a card
  • punch the clock

But then Jesus punched a hole through space and time.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Employees in various cubicles are talking on telephones and punching information into computers.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Yeah, it punched through into a cavern 80 feet down.

  • Oh, you want some to punch a hole right through?

  • And then we're going to punch a little hole in that tube.

  • Punch a hole in the sky.

  • Students are required to punch in on their timecards to log the amount of class time.

    Academic text (1995)
  • The inscription was punched into the plates, in English on one and German on the other.

    Academic text (1999)
  • To make a beautiful flower arrangement, you need to punch holes in the foam for the stems.

  • Using a hole punch, she carefully punched a clean hole in the corner of the paper.

  • Before assembling the model, be sure to punch through the indicated areas for the connectors.

Synonyms

to stab
vsto punch
  • NSFW
459 2.7

To push a sharp pointed object into a person or animal

often involves a planned tool action or steady pressure to form a hole
to poke
vsto punch
251 1.5

Push quickly with a finger, stick, or other small object

implies a stronger, tool-based or pressed action to create a real hole
to drill
vsto punch
170 2.2

To make a hole by using a tool that turns

can use blunt force or nonrotating tools as well as driven pressure to form holes
to pierce
vsto punch
110 3.5

To make a hole in something with a sharp object like a needle

relies more on strong pressure or a mechanical tool to create holes
to cut through
vsto punch
51 3.0

To go straight across a place, for example through land or a crowd

is more about a forced, tool-based hole made by pressure rather than broad cutting
to puncture
vsto punch
50 3.9

To make a small hole in something with a sharp object that lets air or liquid escape

covers broader hole making by pressure or tools, not only small leaks
to gouge
vsto punch
20 7.2

To make a deep cut or hole in something with a sharp object

is more about making a hole by pressure or a purposeful tool strike
to prick
vsto punch
14 3.9

To make a small hole in something with a sharp point

involves stronger pressure or a tool to make larger or guided openings
to perforate
vsto punch
12 6.1

Make a hole through something by piercing it

may be done by a single strong pressure action rather than repeated piercing
to hole
vsto punch
6 6.4

To make an opening in something by cutting or piercing

focuses more on forceful or tool-based opening creation rather than general damage
to stave
vsto punch
6 8.5

To break a hole in an object by hitting or crushing it

is about making holes more precisely using pressure or a specific device
to gouge out
vsto punch
5 7.4

To make a deep cut or groove in a surface by scraping

creates holes often by a single driven impact rather than prolonged scraping
to pierce through
vsto punch
3 4.4

Move into and through something by making a hole or gap

often uses a heavy tool or pressure to make holes rather than just passing through
to slice into
vsto punch
3 4.2

Move a sharp object into something to cut it

focuses more on blunt or driven pressure to make holes rather than slicing cuts
to bore
vsto punch
1 4.9

To make a hole in something with a tool or with animal teeth

also covers making holes by forceful pressure without extensive cutting action
to center punch
vsto punch
  • Specialized
7.4

To make a small dent in a surface to mark where to drill

makes a full hole by force or specialized tooling rather than only denting
to stave in
vsto punch
7.7

To break a hole in something and make part cave in

uses constrained force or a shaped tool to make a controlled hole rather than wreckage
to prickle
vsto punch
4.4

Make a small hole in something with a sharp point

is typically a stronger action making definite holes using tools or force

Idioms

To do something before someone else to get an advantage

To have more success than people expect from your size or ability

8.5

To get a sure chance to succeed, for example a job or a place on a team

To do less well than your skills or what people expect

Hit someone very hard so they are knocked out

Phrasal Verbs

6 3.9

To record when you finish work using a time clock

5 3.5

Record the time you arrive at work using a time clock or electronic system

to spike the punch
  • Offensive
3 8.0

Put alcohol into a drink like punch without telling people

to center punch
  • Specialized
7.4

To make a small dent in a surface to mark where to drill

Compounds

29 3.5

The last part of a joke that makes people laugh

12 2.6

A large deep bowl for serving drinks at parties

punch card
  • Archaic
11 7.4

A stiff card with holes that show information used by old computers

punch bag
  • Offensive
6 5.0

A person others blame or hurt repeatedly

sucker punch
  • Informal
5 7.2

An unexpected unfair punch or sudden hurtful remark without warning

4 1.8

A sweet drink made from mixed fruit juices often served at parties

A hit that makes the other fighter unable to continue, often ending the match

gut punch
  • Informal
1 8.0

A sudden strong feeling of shock and disappointment from bad news

punch-up
  • NSFW
1 7.8

A physical fight where people hit each other with fists

rabbit punch
  • Jargon
1 9.3

A short hard hit to the back of the neck that is dangerous and illegal in boxing

1 5.8

A hard punch that knocks an opponent out so they cannot continue

1 7.9

A cold alcoholic drink made with milk, sugar, and spices

punch press
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A machine that cuts and shapes metal sheets by pressing a shaped tool

A sweet cocktail made with rum, lime or lemon juice and sugar

1 8.3

A very strong punch in boxing meant to knock someone out

blanking punch
  • Specialized
9.9

A tool that cuts shapes from a flat metal sheet with a matching die

center punch
  • Specialized
7.4

A small tool with a pointed end that makes a dent to mark where to drill

A sweet party punch made with rum and brandy, mixed with tea or water and served from a bowl

1.4

A heavy bag hung up that you hit to train for boxing

punch pliers
  • Specialized
6.8

A tool like pliers that makes holes in leather or paper

punch-up
  • Jargon
7.7

A meeting where writers make a script's jokes better

How Big

to bore
1 4.9
to drill
170 2.2
to punch
136 1.8
to pierce
110 3.5
to poke
251 1.5
to puncture
50 3.9

Surface Forms

punch infinitive
punched past
punched past participle
punching present participle
punches third person singular

Etymology

Punch meaning 'to make a hole' comes from Latin pungere 'to prick', the same root as puncture. So to punch in this sense is to force a point through material to make a hole.