English · Phrasal verb Attested

punch up

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To beat (someone) up by punching, to fist-fight.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

đánh ai đó bằng nắm đấm, đánh tay đôi

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Where it’s used: Used American English

He came back all punched up. He got a few stitches — they really punched him up good.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To attack, counterattack, or target a group of greater power or status than oneself.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

tấn công, phản công hoặc nhắm vào một nhóm có quyền lực hoặc địa vị cao hơn

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To make bolder, zestier, or more exciting.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

làm cho mạnh mẽ, thú vị hoặc phấn khích hơn

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

What does “punch up” mean?

To beat (someone) up by punching, to fist-fight.

Is “punch up” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.