punch-up

[ puhnch-uhp ]

noun

, Slang.

1. punch-out ( def 2 ).

punch-up

noun

1. informal.
   a fight, brawl, or violent argument

Word History and Origins

Origin of punch-up¹

1955–60; noun use of verb phrase punch ( it ) up

Example Sentences

But walking the same path, repeatedly, may punch up some of those benefits, says my friend Florence Williams, a science writer and author of “The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative.”

From Los Angeles Times

That examination comes across eight match days between September and January, when Celtic must punch up rather than punch down.

From BBC

Small business owners are using A.I. tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Bard and others to check grammar in emails, punch up marketing copy and research business plans.

From Seattle Times

Comedians are meant to punch up, not down.

From Salon

“At some point as a coach, if you’re asking a guy to do something and he’s doing all he can,” Cronin said, “even though we didn’t get the win and we need more, if he’s doing all he can, do I really need to beat him up? … It’s hard if you’re constantly punching up, it’s hard to continue to punch up, and they’ve been doing it.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• add to
• bolster
• boost
• build up
• buttress
• emphasize
• enlarge
• fortify
• increase
• shore up
• stress
• support
• underline