punch it away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "punch it away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is suggesting to physically or metaphorically remove or dismiss something forcefully. Example: "Whenever I feel overwhelmed by stress, I just try to punch it away by engaging in a good workout."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"It makes it very hard to judge if you are going to catch it or punch it away".

Independent

James would imagine the ball coming to him and then all the different ways he could catch, parry or punch it away.

The Guardian - Sport

In the past I would turn my head and attempt to punch it away, a flawed reaction that resulted in several cheap dismissals and a couple of broken fingers.

Independent

38 mins Van der Vaart, a former Hamburg player, takes some abuse as he trots over to take a corner from the right, which is headed behind for another corner... 39 mins The Dutchman's second delivery is a beauty, arcing in towards the goalkeeper who, caught off guard, just about manages to punch it away with a curious and rather clumsy dive to his right.

The Guardian - Sport

Donnelly struck a shot which looped off a defender and into the air and having had an assured first half, Lainton missed the ball while trying to punch it away and saw it fall over the line.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The Ghanaian goalkeeper went up for it, but neither caught it nor punched it away.

The New Yorker

Came out strongly on a Los Angeles corner kick in the first half and emphatically punched it away.

The New York Times

The ball was returned smartly by Bobby Charlton and Tilkowski had so much difficulty punching it away from Hurst that he knocked himself out.

The Guardian - Sport

Sherida Spitse took a corner in the 76th and the ball deflected off Aya Sameshima toward her own net when Kaihori punched it away with her right fist.

Los Angeles Times

I punch it and walk away".

The New York Times - Science

I punch it and walk away".But though Mr. Gore was listed second in the butterfly ballot, the second punch hole corresponded to a vote for Patrick J. Buchanan, who was listed at the top of a second column to the right of the punch holes.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "punch it away" when you want to convey a sense of forceful removal or rejection, especially in sports or metaphorical contexts where a quick, decisive action is involved.

Common error

Avoid using "punch it away" in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and professional language like "repel", "deflect", or "eliminate" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "punch it away" is as a phrasal verb. It describes a physical action, primarily used in sports contexts to denote the forceful clearing of an object (like a ball) from a particular area. Ludwig AI provides examples in sports articles.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "punch it away" is a phrasal verb primarily used to describe a forceful, defensive action, often in sports. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. While it is most common in news and media, particularly sports reporting, it is less suitable for formal or academic contexts. Alternatives like "deflect", "repel", or "clear" may be more appropriate in such situations. When you aim to convey forcefulness and immediacy, especially in a sports context, "punch it away" is a concise and effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hit it away

Suggests a forceful impact to move something away.

force it away

Highlights the use of power to create distance.

knock it out

Implies a quick and decisive action to eliminate something.

bat it away

Similar to hitting but with a lighter touch, often used in sports.

fend it off

Indicates warding off an attack or unwanted advance.

ward it off

Emphasizes preventing something negative from affecting you.

drive it back

Suggests a strong and continuous effort to repel something.

block it out

Focuses on mentally disregarding or ignoring something.

push it aside

Implies a less forceful removal, more about making space.

clear it out

Focuses on completely removing something from an area.

FAQs

How can I use "punch it away" in a sentence?

"Punch it away" is often used to describe a goalkeeper's action in soccer, like: "The goalkeeper managed to "punch it away" just in time."

What's a more formal way to say "punch it away"?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "deflect", "repel", or "clear" depending on the specific action you're describing.

When is it appropriate to use "punch it away" metaphorically?

You can use "punch it away" metaphorically to describe forcefully rejecting an idea or problem, but be mindful of the audience and context. Consider alternatives like "dismiss" or "reject" for a more professional tone.

Is "punch it away" grammatically correct?

Yes, "punch it away" is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in sports commentary. However, consider the formality of your writing and choose alternatives when appropriate.