punch below one's weight en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
An allusion to the sport of boxing, where contenders fight in various weight classes.
Meanings
-
(idiomatic) To achieve or perform at a level lower than should be expected based on one's preparation, attributes, rank, or past accomplishments.
Under the military-backed governments of the past decade Thailand is widely viewed as having punched below its weight in international affairs, with Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha taking little interest in foreign policy.
2023 May 29, Jonathan Head, “Pita Limjaroenrat: Thai election upstart who vows to be different”, in BBC, archived from the original on 23 Aug 2023:But the overall effect is flimsy and insubstantial, a gifted writer punching well below his weight.
2001 September 29, “For men who should know better”, in The Telegraph, UK, archived from the original on 07 Jul 2013:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| punches below one's weight | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| hit below one's weight | alternative | lexicographic | |
| punching below one's weight | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| punched below one's weight | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| punched below one's weight | Tense=Past | lexicographic |
Antonyms
overachieve · punch above one's weight