I wanted to have the new car, but Sally beat me to the punch.
•I planned to write a book about using the new software program, but someone else beat me to the draw.
Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.
beat someone to the punch — beat (someone) to the punch American to do something before someone else does it. I was thinking of applying for that job but Carol beat me to the punch … New idioms dictionary
beat someone to the punch — informal anticipate or forestall someone s actions * * * beat someone to the punch see ↑punch, 2 • • • Main Entry: ↑beat beat (someone) to the punch : to do or achieve something before someone else is able to We were working on a new product but… … Useful english dictionary
beat to the punch — beat (someone) to the punch : to do or achieve something before someone else is able to We were working on a new product but our competition beat us to the punch. [=our competition started selling a similar product before we did] • • • Main Entry … Useful english dictionary
beat to the punch — beat (someone) to the punch American to do something before someone else does it. I was thinking of applying for that job but Carol beat me to the punch … New idioms dictionary
beat to the punch — If you beat someone to the punch, you act before them and gain an advantage … The small dictionary of idiomes
beat to the punch — If you beat someone to the punch, you act before them and gain an advantage. (Dorking School Dictionary) … English Idioms & idiomatic expressions
punch — punch1 [ pʌntʃ ] verb transitive * 1. ) to hit someone or something with your FIST (=closed hand), usually as hard as you can: Two men punched him, knocking him to the ground. She punched her pillow angrily. a ) to press a button or switch: David … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
punch — {{11}}punch (n.1) pointed tool, mid 15c., short for puncheon (mid 14c.), from O.Fr. ponchon pointed tool, piercing weapon, from V.L. *punctionem (nom. punctio) pointed tool, from L. punctus, pp. of pungere to prick (see PUNGENT (Cf. pungent)).… … Etymology dictionary
beat — beat1 W2S2 [bi:t] v past tense beat past participle beaten [ˈbi:tn] ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(competition/election)¦ 2¦(hit)¦ 3¦(hit against)¦ 4¦(do better)¦ 5¦(be better)¦ 6¦(food)¦ 7¦(control/deal with)¦ … Dictionary of contemporary English
The Original Amateur Hour — 1950 trade advertisement The Original Amateur Hour is an American radio and television program. The show was a continuation of Major Bowes Amateur Hour which had been a radio staple from 1934 to 1945. Major Edward Bowes, the originator of the… … Wikipedia
punch someone's lights out — punch/put/someone’s lights out informal phrase to hit someone very hard in the face Thesaurus: to hit a personsynonym Main entry: light * * * … Useful english dictionary
