# punching

/ˈpəntʃɪŋ/ (US) · /pˈʌntʃɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/punching
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. hitting with a fist

verb · CEFR A2

hitting someone or something with your closed hand.

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

- He was punching the heavy bag at the gym to relieve his stress.
- The boxer spent the afternoon punching the speed bag, focusing on his rhythm and hand-eye coordination before the upcoming match.

### 2. dating someone more attractive

verb · CEFR B2 · British English · Informal · Slang

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

For teachers: 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.

- Look at his beautiful girlfriend—he is definitely punching.
- 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'.

Teaching 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.

### 3. making holes

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

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

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

- The machine is used for punching holes in leather belts.
- The industrial punching of the steel sheets required a high-pressure hydraulic press to ensure clean edges for the assembly line.

## Examples

- He is definitely punching with his new girlfriend.
- Everyone at the wedding whispered that the groom was punching, given his bride's successful career and looks.

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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.