pack a wallop
Deliver powerful blow
To pack a wallop is to deliver a powerful impact.
Originally about physical force—a punch that packs a wallop hits hard—the phrase extends to anything with surprising intensity: That cocktail packs a wallop, The ending of the film really packs a wallop.
The emphasis is on potency disproportionate to expectation.
- hitSuccessful contact or strike
- strikeForceful impact or stoppage
- impactForceful contact or consequence
- punchStrike with fist
- power punchMaximum-force strike
one-two punch · knockout blow · shock · kick · potency · jolt · effectiveness · blow · strength · exhilaration · hit like a truck · intensity · oomph · power · thrill · slam · devastation · vigor
pack a wallopbe gentle
Act with care
fall flat · pull one's punches · fizzle · tickle · whimper
pack a wallopfall flat
Fail to impress
fizzle out · underwhelm · disappoint · peter out · miss the mark
pack, packs, packed, packing, packer, packers, package, packages, packaging