punch

• punch
• 1 [countable] a quick strong hit made with your fist (=closed hand)
• punch in/on
• a punch in the kidneys
• I managed to land a punch on his chin.
• The two men started throwing punches (=trying to hit each other).
• 2 [singular,uncountable] a strong effective way of expressing things that makes people interested:
• 30 years after it was written, Orton's 'Entertaining Mr Sloane' stillpacks a punch.
• 3 [uncountable and countable] a drink made from fruit juice, sugar, water, and usually some alcohol:
• a glass of hot punch
• 4 [countable] a metal tool for cutting holes or for pushing something into a small hole
• 5

  a one-two punch

   two bad events that happen close together:
• A meteorite collided with Earth at the same time, delivering a one-two punch to the magnetic field.
• 6

  not pull any/your punches

   to express disapproval or criticism clearly, without trying to hide anything:
• The inquiry report doesn't pull any punches in apportioning blame.
• 7

  beat somebody/something to the punch

  informal to do or get something before anyone else does:
• Hitachi has beaten its competitors to the punch with its new palmtop.
• 8

  as pleased as punch

  old-fashioned very happy:
• He's as pleased as punch about the baby.

• ➔ pack a (hard) punch

  at pack1 (8)

Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.