knockout punch
Decisive finishing blow
A knockout punch is a blow powerful enough to render an opponent unconscious, ending a boxing match decisively.
Figuratively, it's any action that defeats an opponent or settles a dispute conclusively: The leaked emails were the knockout punch that ended his campaign.
Also called a knockout blow.
- haymakerWild knockout punch
- TKOReferee-stopped victory
- uppercutAscending boxing strike
- power shotHigh-velocity athletic strike
- devastatingCausing severe damage
finishing blow · ring · canvas · down for the count · jaw · chin · lights out · out cold · stunned · referee · stoppage · floored · decisive · hook · slam · unconscious · boxing · sweet science
- Nailed Itnailed it, crushed it, aced it, slam dunk, hole in one
- MMA Techniquesarmbar, guillotine, rear naked choke, triangle choke, takedown
- boxingjab, uppercut, hook, knockout, TKO
- competition metaphorslevel playing field, race to the bottom, win-win, rat race, front runner
- debatesmoderator, podium, lectern, rebuttal, rebuttals
- fistfightsjab, uppercut, haymaker, right hook, left jab
knockout punchwhiff
Brief, faint smell
miss · glancing blow · swing and a miss · air punch · nothing burger
knockout punchhalf measure
Incomplete or inadequate action
mere formality · token effort · empty threat · paper tiger · damp squib
knock, punch, knocks, knocked, knocking, knocker, knockers, outing, outward