# beat to the punch

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/beat-to-the-punch
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- I wanted that job, but she beat me to the punch.
- I planned to buy the last tickets online, but someone else beat me to the punch.
- The rival company beat us to the punch by releasing their innovative software just one day before our scheduled launch.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.