punch line

American  

noun

1. the climactic phrase or sentence in a joke, speech, advertisement, or humorous story that produces the desired effect.

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punch line British  

noun

1. the culminating part of a joke, funny story, etc, that gives it its humorous or dramatic point

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Etymology

Origin of punch line

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25

Example Sentences

“They say horror and comedy is so similar in the filmmaking that they both have setup, expectations rising, then there’s a punch line,” he continued.

From Salon

They had to train with a gun, for example, and, more important, let go of the need for punch line.

From Los Angeles Times

But his chief concern was injecting soul into the punch lines.

From Los Angeles Times

“The end,” Feghali delivered her punch line as she read the story for a smaller group a while later.

From Los Angeles Times

I’m like, “Guys, that’s a slap in the face to when I’m putting three, four hours in at Starbucks, working on the writing and making sure the punch lines are all there.”

From Los Angeles Times