ENGLISH
REFERENCE

punching

v. · n.
US //ˈpəntʃɪŋ// UK //pˈʌntʃɪŋ// punch·ing
  1. 1 hitting with a fist (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    hitting someone or something with your closed hand.

    striking with a closed fist; the present participle or gerund form of the transitive verb.

    Example

    He was punching the heavy bag at the gym to relieve his stress.

    Example

    The boxer spent the afternoon punching the speed bag, focusing on his rhythm and hand-eye coordination before the upcoming match.
  2. 2 dating someone more attractive (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate British English Informal Slang

    dating someone who is much more attractive or successful than you are.

    a clipping of the idiom 'punching above one's weight', used to describe a person in a relationship with a partner perceived as more attractive.

    Example

    Look at his beautiful girlfriend—he is definitely punching.

    Example

    When the actor revealed his new partner, fans on social media joked that he was punching, given her background as a world-class supermodel.

    Usage

    Usually used in the continuous form 'be punching'.

    Teacher's tip

    This is very common in British social media and casual conversation; it is usually meant as a lighthearted joke rather than a serious insult.
    • overachieving
  3. 3 making holes (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Technical

    the act of making holes in something, like paper or metal.

    the process of perforating or creating holes in a material using a tool or machine.

    Example

    The machine is used for punching holes in leather belts.

    Example

    The industrial punching of the steel sheets required a high-pressure hydraulic press to ensure clean edges for the assembly line.

Last updated June 20, 2026