sucker punch
Unexpected cheap shot
A sucker punch is a punch thrown without warning, typically when the victim isn't looking or doesn't expect violence: He sucker punched the guy from behind.
The term emphasizes cowardice—hitting someone who hasn't had a chance to defend themselves.
Figuratively, any unexpected blow or setback: The layoff notice was a sucker punch.
Not anticipated beforehand
- blindsideSurprise with unexpected force
- caught off guardSurprised when unprepared
- unforeseenNot predicted or expected
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
sneak attack · out of nowhere · without warning · unsuspecting · unaware · unprepared · stunned · jarring
Incapacitating final blow
- blowMove air forcefully
- haymakerWild knockout punch
- strikeForceful impact or stoppage
- fistTightly closed hand
jaw · beatdown · decked · floored · dropped · slugged · clocked · hit
Betray someone's trust
- double-crossTreacherous deception of partner
- treacheryDeliberate violation of trust
- betrayedViolated someone's trust
- deceivedMisled into false belief
trusted · blindsided · unsuspecting · setup · lured · manipulated · false friend · two-faced
Reverse in progress
- blindsidedSurprised by unforeseen impact
- gut-wrenchingCausing intense emotional anguish
- crushingOverwhelming in intensity
- heartbreakCrushing emotional pain
bombshell · wake-up call · reality check · bad news · life event · diagnosis · layoff · rejection
unexpected
Not anticipated beforehand
- blindsideSurprise with unexpected force
- caught off guardSurprised when unprepared
- unforeseenNot predicted or expected
ambush · sneak attack · out of nowhere · without warning · unsuspecting · unaware · unprepared · stunned · jarring · jolt
knockout
Incapacitating final blow
fist · jaw · beatdown · decked · floored · dropped · slugged · clocked · hit · attack
backstab
Betray someone's trust
- double-crossTreacherous deception of partner
- treacheryDeliberate violation of trust
- betrayedViolated someone's trust
deceived · trusted · blindsided · unsuspecting · setup · lured · manipulated · false friend · two-faced · duplicity
setback
Reverse in progress
- blindsidedSurprised by unforeseen impact
- gut-wrenchingCausing intense emotional anguish
- crushingOverwhelming in intensity
heartbreak · bombshell · wake-up call · reality check · bad news · life event · diagnosis · layoff · rejection · curveball
- boxingjab, uppercut, hook, knockout, TKO
- combat idiomsstab in the back, dodge a bullet, in the crosshairs, fire away, take a shot
- fistfightsjab, uppercut, haymaker, right hook, left jab
- punchesjab, uppercut, haymaker, left hook, right hook
- surprise attacksambush, sneak attack, blindside, catch off guard, sneak up
- attacksattack, assault, raid, strike, offensive
sucker punchwarning shot
Intentionally missed shot conveying threat
duel · formal challenge · defensive strike · counterpunch · clean hit
sucker punchsportsmanship
Ethical athletic conduct
fair play · gentlemanly conduct · good form · chivalry · honor code
punch, sucker, punching, punched, sucking, suckers, punches, sucked, puncher