puncture a hole

USAGE SUMMARY

'puncture a hole' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it when referring to an action taken with a sharp object, such as a needle or a nail, to make a hole in something. For example, "I needed to puncture a hole in the fabric so I could sew a button onto it."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The report could puncture a hole in the uplifting narrative of "Three Cups of Tea," which has fed a charity run by Mr. Mortenson, the Central Asia Institute.

The New York Times

Get enough mass together, Gott says, and you can puncture a hole in space-time.

Science Magazine

How Not to Use It: While a chef's knife may be the "king of the kitchen," it should not be used to butcher or carve poultry, to remove the skin of large vegetables such as butternut squash, or, as some people have tried, to puncture a hole in cans.

HuffPost

Leaf toughness was calculated by measuring the weight of sand necessary to puncture a hole through the center of a single leaf (Feeny 1970).

AoB PLANTS

Don't puncture a hole in your water bed with something sharp!

WikiHow

Taking your two Arizona cans, puncture a hole right below the top seam with your packing knife on each one.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Before the Sochi Games in 2014, a physical therapist punctured a hole in his lung during what should have been a routine dry-needling therapy.

The Washington Post

More recently, Ian Frazier wrote a Local Correspondents piece about a much smaller chunk of cosmic debris, which punctured a hole in the roof of a house in Freehold Township, New Jersey, in 2007.

The New Yorker

According to the indictment, the description of the work in a May 2000 listing said that Mr. Walton had bought the painting at a garage sale in Berkeley, Calif., before he was married, "and that his child had punctured a hole in it with a Big Wheel".

The New York Times

But at least it  provided one of my most memorable university moments – seeing the look of panic on the faces of eight grown men when a friend "accidentally" punctured a hole in the bottom of the boat, cutting short our early morning outing the night after the rugby club dinner.

Independent

Rotation played a big role in The Martian as well, and in fact the one time I wanted to yell at Matt Damon was when he punctured a hole in his spacesuit's hand to "fly" towards his rescue, I couldn't understand why he didn't hold his hand closer to his center of mass to better control himself!

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the action of creating a hole with a sharp object, "puncture a hole" is appropriate. However, consider the context: more formal writing might benefit from "create a perforation" or "pierce through".

Common error

Avoid using "puncture a hole" metaphorically when a more precise term exists. For example, instead of saying "this argument punctures a hole in their logic", use "this argument weakens their logic".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "puncture a hole" functions as a verb phrase describing the action of creating an opening by piercing something. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

35%

Science

30%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "puncture a hole" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe creating an opening, often with a sharp object. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans from literal descriptions to slightly metaphorical applications. While not extremely frequent, it is commonly found in News & Media, Wiki, and Scientific contexts. Consider the context and desired level of formality when choosing between "puncture a hole" and alternatives like "create an opening" or "pierce through".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make a perforation

Uses a more formal term for creating a small hole.

create an opening

Focuses on the result of the action rather than the method.

pierce through

Emphasizes the action of penetrating an object.

bore a hole

Similar to drilling, but can imply a simpler method.

drill a passage

Suggests using a specific tool to create a pathway.

perforate a material

Uses a more technical term for making multiple small holes.

rupture a surface

Focuses on breaking the integrity of a surface.

penetrate a layer

Emphasizes going through a specific layer of material.

impale and open

Highlights the force and result of creating an opening.

lacerate a gap

Emphasizes the forceful tearing and opening of a material.

FAQs

How can I use "puncture a hole" in a sentence?

You can use "puncture a hole" when describing the action of making a hole in something with a sharp object. For example, "I used a needle to puncture a hole in the balloon".

What are some alternatives to "puncture a hole"?

Alternatives include "create an opening", "make a perforation", or "pierce through", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "puncture a hole" or "make a hole"?

"Puncture a hole" implies using a sharp object to create the hole, while "make a hole" is more general. The best choice depends on the context and the desired level of specificity.

What's the difference between "puncture a hole" and "drill a hole"?

"Puncture a hole" suggests using a sharp, often pointed object to pierce something, while "drill a passage" implies using a rotating tool specifically designed for making holes. The choice depends on the method used to create the opening.