punch up
To joke about or criticise people more powerful than you, or to make writing more exciting.
Meanings
To direct jokes, criticism, or mockery at those with more power, privilege, or status.
"Satire works best when it punches up — targeting politicians and corporations rather than ordinary people."
To revise and improve a piece of writing, especially a script, making it more energetic, funny, or engaging.
"They hired a comedy writer to punch up the dialogue in the second act."
(British English, informal) A physical fight or brawl (used as a noun: 'a punch-up').
"There was a bit of a punch-up outside the pub after the match."
The social-commentary sense ('punching up') is the opposite of 'punching down' and is considered more acceptable in comedy and satire. The writing sense ('punch up a script') is very common in the entertainment industry.
Commonly used with
Forms
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