"Punch above their weight"

[freeradical]

I'm pretty tired of reading and hearing this phrase.

That is all.

[DP]

I have never heard nor seen that phrase. What does it pertain to?

[pdq]

I would say it means to outperform expectations.

Edit: derived, I assume, from a boxing analogy where a boxer in a lighter-weight category was said to be able to punch as hard as a heavyweight, thus “punch above his weight [class]”.

Sounds kind of anachronistic now.

[testcase]

“I have never heard nor seen that phrase. What does it pertain to?”


Ditto

[deckeda]

Before we get into a holding pattern somebody, quick —- post the link for clichés that should just go away, before this circles the drain.

[datbeme]

I see what you did there:

"should just go away"

"circles the drain"

[mrbigstuff]

Let's not get into the weeds over this, ok?

[freeradical]

I most recently heard this over an ingredient used on one of those cooking shows.

[rz]

Ok, we'll run it up the flag pole and see who salutes

[RAMd®d]

I would say it means to outperform expectations.


Originally, I've heard it as attempting to perform beyond your abilities, and is presumed to be unsustainable.

IE, as a warning or caution, and not as a congratulation or salute, but I suppose it could work as the latter depending on context.