1 B1 neutral
To record the time you finish work, originally by inserting a time card into a machine.
"Don't forget to punch out before you leave tonight."
inseparable
punch out
B1 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To record the end of one's workday, to hit someone, or to cut a shape out of material.
In plain English
To record when you finish work, or to hit someone hard.
What does "punch out" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 informal
To hit someone hard with a fist.
"He was so angry he felt like punching out the first person who spoke to him."
separable
3 B2 neutral
To cut a shape out of a material by striking or pressing a tool through it.
"The machine punches out hundreds of identical metal discs per hour."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
Transparent in both the workplace sense (punching a time card) and the cutting sense (punching a shape out of a material).
Actually means
To record when you finish work, or to hit someone hard.
Usage tip
The workplace sense ('punch out') is primarily American English. The physical sense (to hit someone) is informal and sometimes used figuratively. The manufacturing sense (cutting shapes) is technical.
Words that pair with "punch out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
time card work shift shape metal ticket
How to conjugate "punch out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
punch out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
punches out
he/she/it
Past simple
punched out
yesterday
Past participle
punched out
have + pp
-ing form
punching out
continuous
Hear "punch out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "punch out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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