punch above one's weight
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punch above one's weight
- /pʌntʃ əˈbʌv wʌnz weɪt/ US, UK
Where it comes from
An allusion to a boxer who punches more powerfully than other boxers in the same weight class.
verb punches above one's weight · punching above one's weight · punched above one's weight · punch above one's weight class · hit above one's weight
-
To (attempt to) achieve or perform at a higher level than would be expected based on one's preparation, attributes, rank, or past accomplishments.
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.
Similar: overachieve
Opposite: punch below one's weight, underachieve
Thesaurus
verb
Opposite: punch below one's weight, underachieve
Translations
Every language
verb achieve or perform at a higher level than would be expected based on one's preparation, attributes, rank, or past accomplishments
| Español | coger cajita |
|---|---|
| 中文 | 出類拔萃 /出类拔萃 chūlèibácuì |
| Français | s'attaquer à plus fort que soi, s'en prendre à plus fort que soi |
| Deutsch | über seine Grenzen hinaus wachsen |
| Русский | пры́гнуть вы́ше головы́ prýgnutʹ výše golový |
Talk about this word "punch above one's weight." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/punch%20above%20one's%20weight. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. punch above one's weight. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/punch%20above%20one's%20weight "punch above one's weight." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/punch%20above%20one's%20weight.Cite this
@misc{punch_above_one_s_weight_2026,
title = {punch above one's weight},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/punch%20above%20one's%20weight},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
