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punch bowl

American

noun

a large bowl from which punch, lemonade, etc., is served, usually with a ladle.

Etymology

Origin of punch bowl

First recorded in 1685–95

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Is Wall Street ready to have the proverbial punch bowl taken away?

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026

Brass angel candlesticks scored for $2 apiece at a Palo Alto garage sale flank a silver-plated punch bowl.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 28, 2026

Though Blue Owl has three lines of business, private credit—specifically direct lending in private-equity deals—is the firm’s calling card and growth engine, and the straw that’s stirring Wall Street’s punch bowl lately.

From Barron's • Oct. 24, 2025

Crypto had no insulation from one bad actor in the market peeing in the punch bowl.

From Slate • Aug. 5, 2024

The Gamemaker who fell in the punch bowl shouts out, "She's not!"

From "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023