punches down
Releases gas from dough
Punches down describes humor or criticism directed at people with less power, status, or privilege than the speaker.
The phrase comes from comedy criticism, where punching down—mocking the vulnerable rather than the powerful—is considered cheap or cruel: That joke about homeless people really punches down.
The opposite is punching up, targeting those with more power.
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
- picking onHarassing someone repeatedly
- cheap shotUnfair attack or remark
- mockeryScornful ridicule or travesty
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
wine making · marginalization · oppression · sarcasm · exploitation · power imbalance · maceration · vintner · must · prejudice · stereotyping · belittling · shaming · hierarchy · pecking order · condescension · nitpicking · ridicule