punching bag

English

WOTD – 2 June 2021

Pronunciation

The Dutch boxer Jan de Bruin training with a punching bag (sense 1).
  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈpʌnt͡ʃɪŋ ˌbæɡ/
  • (file)
  • (General American) IPA(key): /ˈpʌnt͡ʃɪŋ ˌbæɡ/, [ˈpən(t)ʃɪŋ-]
  • Hyphenation: punch‧ing bag

Noun

punching bag (plural punching bags) (chiefly US)

  1. A tough bag, usually cylindrical, filled with air, sand, or other material, often suspended so that it swings freely, which is punched or kicked when practising sports such as boxing or martial arts.
    Synonym: (Britain) punchbag
    Hyponym: speed bag
    Coordinate terms: focus bag, speed ball, swerve ball
  2. (figuratively) A person serving as an object of abuse.
    Synonym: (Britain) punchbag
    • 2019 April 14, Alex McLevy, “Winter is Here on Game of Thrones’ Final Season Premiere (Newbies)”, in The A.V. Club, archived from the original on 18 December 2020:
      For so long, Theon Greyjoy was the punching bag of Game of Thrones, a sort of shitty Charlie Brown who not only failed to kick the football, but would then be beaten savagely with it every time he landed on his ass.

Translations

Further reading

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