punch below one's weight
verbEtymology
An allusion to the sport of boxing, where contenders fight in various weight classes.
Definitions
To achieve or perform at a level lower than should be expected based on one's…
To achieve or perform at a level lower than should be expected based on one's preparation, attributes, rank, or past accomplishments.
- But the overall effect is flimsy and insubstantial, a gifted writer punching well below his weight.
- Under the military-backed governments of the past decade Thailand is widely viewed as having punched below its weight in international affairs, with Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha taking little interest in foreign policy.
The neighborhood
- antonymoverachieve
- antonympunch above one's weight
Vish — recursive loop
No curated loop yet for punch below one's weight. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.
sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA