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REFERENCE

beat to the punch

idiom
Meaning

To carry out an action before another person is able to do so.


Examples
SIMPLE

I wanted that job, but she beat me to the punch.

CONTEXTUAL

I planned to buy the last tickets online, but someone else beat me to the punch.

COMPLEX

The rival company beat us to the punch by releasing their innovative software just one day before our scheduled launch.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    beat a dead horse

    To persist or continue far beyond any purpose, interest or reason.

  2. 02

    beat a retreat

    To leave hastily in the face of opposition.

  3. 03

    beat around the bush

    To treat a topic, but omit its main points, often intentionally.

  4. 04

    beat as one

    To share the same feelings.

  5. 05

    beat Banaghan

    To tell wonderful stories, or something which is amazing and remarkable.

  6. 06

    beat feet

    To run.

  7. 07

    beat it

    To leave; to go away.

  8. 08

    beat off

    To masturbate by stimulating one's own penis.

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