punch bowl

American  

noun

1. a large bowl from which punch, lemonade, etc., is served, usually with a ladle.

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Etymology

Origin of punch bowl

First recorded in 1685–95

Example Sentences

Is Wall Street ready to have the proverbial punch bowl taken away?

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026

Though Blue Owl has three lines of business, private credit—specifically direct lending in private-equity deals—is the firm’s calling card and growth engine, and the straw that’s stirring Wall Street’s punch bowl lately.

From Barron's • Oct. 24, 2025

Crypto had no insulation from one bad actor in the market peeing in the punch bowl.

From Slate • Aug. 5, 2024

The only fly in the punch bowl is that despite his dogged efforts, Filer has no agent and no traditional publisher.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 4, 2023

And she encouraged Mrs. Wright to go all out, even to borrowing Eva’s punch bowl.

From "Sula" by Toni Morrison