Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

punch above one's weight

/pʌntʃ əˈbʌv wʌnz weɪt/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.98 in modern English

Syllables: punch above one's weight
IPA: /pʌntʃ əˈbʌv wʌnz weɪt/

39

Scrabble Score

20

Letters

1

Syllables

15

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To (attempt to) achieve or perform at a higher level than would be expected based on one's preparation, attributes, rank, or past accomplishments.

Example Sentences

"Ireland's current commissioner, Charlie McCreevy, is such a high-profile and outspoken figure who punches above his weight in Brussels in the important role of internal market commissioner."
"Having spent more than £500,000 on players last summer, Crawley can hardly be classed as minnows but they have still punched way above their weight and this kind of performance means no-one will relish pulling them out of the hat in Sunday's draw."
"2017 Tad the Lost Explorer and the Secret of King Midas I can see why you love her so much. You're definitely punching above your weight."
"Northampton is a town of just 30,000 people, with only five distinct neighborhoods. But stats like that obscure the fact that Northampton has long punched above its weight, culturally."

Etymology

An allusion to a boxer who punches more powerfully than other boxers in the same weight class.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /pʌntʃ əˈbʌv wʌnz weɪt/
British English: /pʌntʃ əˈbʌv wʌnz weɪt/

Inflected Forms

punches above one's weight (present, singular) punching above one's weight (participle, present) punched above one's weight (participle, past) punched above one's weight (past) punch above one's weight class (alternative) hit above one's weight (alternative)

Phrases

out of one's league bite off more than one can chew outkick one's coverage

Frequently Paired Words

out of one's league bite off more than one can chew outkick one's coverage

Synonyms

overachieve

Antonyms

punch below one's weight underachieve

Questions

How do you pronounce punch above one's weight?: The recorded pronunciation is /pʌntʃ əˈbʌv wʌnz weɪt/.
What does punch above one's weight mean?: To (attempt to) achieve or perform at a higher level than would be expected based on one's preparation, attributes, rank, or past accomplishments.
Where does punch above one's weight come from?: An allusion to a boxer who punches more powerfully than other boxers in the same weight class.

How to pronounce punch above one's weight

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