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• sucker-punch
  sucker-punch

  verb (used with object)

  to strike (someone) with an unexpected blow.
• sucker punch
  sucker punch

  noun

  a sudden surprise punch, esp from behind

sucker-punch

American  

[suhk-er-puhnch] / ˈsʌk ərˌpʌntʃ /

verb (used with object)

Slang.

1. to strike (someone) with an unexpected blow.

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sucker punch British  

noun

1. a sudden surprise punch, esp from behind

2. a sudden unexpected defeat or setback

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sucker punch Idioms  

1. An unexpected blow, as in They felt that suddenly raising the interest rate was a sucker punch to the administration. This expression comes from boxing, where it is used for a punch delivered unexpectedly; boxing great Jack Dempsey wrote, “The right lead [for a right-handed boxer] is called a sucker punch.” [Slang; mid-1900s]

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Other Word Forms

• sucker punch
  noun

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sucker-punch sucker punch

Palace had barely stopped celebrating beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley when they were hit with a devastating sucker-punch.

From BBC ● May 27, 2026

The sucker-punch speed comes from two main factors, said DesRosiers: sea surface temperature and lack of wind shear.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 4, 2023

A movie that often feels dangerously out of control even as it knows exactly what it’s doing, “Bottoms” is an outrageous queer teen comedy that could hit summer audiences like a sucker-punch surprise.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 12, 2023

The sucker-punch ending is a head-scratcher and nearly ruins the previous 75 minutes of suspense, so much so that the European ending of the film was changed to make for a more commercial conclusion.

From Washington Times ● May 4, 2023

It is certainly not a bad song, but the sucker-punch power of earlier singles such as Love Story is noticeably absent.

From The Guardian ● Apr. 26, 2019

The Three Lions were five minutes from a first final appearance in 60 years, until the defending champions produced a two-goal sucker punch to rescue a 2-1 win.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 16, 2026

Far too open at the back throughout the game, City were caught by a sucker punch in the 22nd minute.

From Barron's ● Feb. 21, 2026

Hearts were stunned by the sucker punch from Yang, but these guys are made of stern stuff.

From BBC ● Jan. 25, 2026

By contrast, “Shadow Ticket” offers a wildly seductive overture, a companionable but occasionally slack midsection, and a haunting sucker punch of an ending.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2025

The first burst of downpour ricocheted upward at my eyes and stung my face like a sucker punch.

From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin