# punch someone's ticket

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/punch-someones-ticket
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To put someone, especially oneself, in a position to advance or to achieve a desired objective; to gain useful experience.

## Examples

- He took the internship to punch his ticket to a better job.
- She worked on the difficult project for two years, hoping it would punch her ticket to a promotion.
- By volunteering for the most challenging assignments abroad, the ambitious young diplomat effectively punched his ticket to a future leadership role within the ministry.

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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.