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punch out

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punch out

to record that one has left one's workplace at a certain time. Why didn't you punch out when you left last night? I punched out at the regular time.

See also: out, punch

punch someone out

Sl. to overcome or beat someone by punching. He threatened to punch me out. The thug punched out the cop and ran down an alley.

See also: out, punch

punch out

to use a special machine to record the time you stop working Workers are kicking mud off their shoes and punching out at the construction trailer, weary after another 12-hour day.

See also: out, punch

punch out something

also punch something out

1. to press buttons or keys on a computer or other device In a panic, she grabbed her mobile phone and punched out 911. You'd hand a page to the operator and write the next one while he was punching the first page out.

2. to press something hard to remove it from something larger of which it is a part The ceiling panel was punched out so workers could reach the wires above it. First you have to cut along the lines of each piece with a razor blade, and then you can punch it out.

See also: out, punch

punch out somebody/something

also punch somebody/something out

to hit someone or something Barry lost his job for punching out his boss. He loved to hang out at local taverns and punch people out.

See also: out, punch

punch out

1. Record one's time of departure from work, as in We never punch out at exactly five o'clock. This usage, dating from the 1920s, alludes to the use of a time clock. Also see punch in, def. 1.

2. Eject from a military aircraft, as in The pilot punched out just before the plane blew up. [Slang; 1960s]

See also: out, punch

punch out

v.

1. To check out formally from a job upon departure, especially by stamping the departure time on a timecard: If we punch out after 5:00, the company has to pay us for overtime.

2. To knock someone unconscious with a punch: The thief punched out the security guards and broke into the safe. He punched me out, and when I woke up, I was lying on the ground.

3. Slang To eject from a military aircraft: The pilots punched out just before the missile struck their plane.

See also: out, punch