punch up

To make something more lively, forceful, or interesting.

• Punch up the final scene.
• She punched up the speech with a funny story.
• A little lemon will punch up the flavor.

How to use it: punch something up (A few sharper jokes would punch the scene up.)

Similar words: liven up, spice up, strengthen

Opposites: tone down

Common phrases: punch up something, punch up a script

To criticize or make jokes about people who have more power or higher social status than you.

• Good satire often punches up.
• The comedian punched up at the people running the country.
• Do these jokes punch up at powerful people?

How to use it: punch up at someone (Her comedy punches up at wealthy politicians.)

Similar words: challenge the powerful

Opposites: punch down

Common phrases: punch up, punch up at politicians

To attack someone by hitting them repeatedly with your fists.

• They punched him up outside.
• He came home badly punched up after the fight.
• The boys threatened to punch her brother up.

How to use it: punch someone up (The gang punched him up outside the club.)

Similar words: beat up, batter

Common phrases: punch someone up, punch up someone

To switch a camera or other source into the picture or sound being broadcast.

• Punch up camera two now.
• The operator punched up the live feed from the stadium.
• Which source should I punch up next?

How to use it: punch up something (The director told the operator to punch up camera two.)

Similar words: switch to, put on air

Common phrases: punch up a camera, punch up the feed