punch in

1. Keyboard data into a computer, as in He was careful about punching in all the payments . [Mid-1900s]

2. Also, punch a or the clock . Check in at a job upon arrival, as in You have to punch in or you won't get paid , or In this office no one has to punch a clock . This usage alludes to the use of a time clock, which has a button an employee punches or strikes to record the time of arrival on a card. [1920s] Also see punch out , def. 1.

Example Sentences

This Negus evidently is not so sweet as usual: a little punch-in' his head would do him some good.

From Project Gutenberg

It was like the persistent "punch-in-the-presence-of-the-passengare."

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• arrive
• come
• come out
• crop up
• develop
• emerge
• materialize
• occur
• pop up
• present
• show
• show up
• surface
• turn out
• turn up