Meaning of sucker punch | Babel Free

Definitions

1. An unexpected punch or similar blow, on an opponent who is off guard or not active.
   also, figuratively
2. A disabling punch targeting a place which is not normally acceptable in a "fair fight", such as on the back of the head.
3. An unprovoked or unwarranted blow with the fist.

Examples

“Benjamin crossed his right, a short punch traveling less than six inches, as he and Murphy stepped back from the breakaway. Many of the spectators did not see⟳ the blow⟳ that laid the West Philadelphian low. It was a "sucker punch," as Nick Hayes would have⟳ it. Coming out of a clinch, Benjamin took one step backward, then stepped forward⟳ before Murphy lifted his arms, crossing his right simultaneously, and zowie-- it was curtains for one of the millions of heroes of the "Big Fight⟳." Jimmy dropped back on his haunches. His eves appeared to be clear, and he knew what he wanted to do--but apparently couldn't do it.”

“The Championship highflyers almost got their reward⟳ for a resilient performance on their first visit⟳ to the Emirates, surviving a flurry of first-half Arsenal chances before hitting back with a classic sucker punch.”

““It was absolutely terrible,” [Richard] Spencer told CNN’s Sara Ganim by phone hours after the assault. “I’ve certain never had this happen⟳ before – a sucker punch in broad daylight.””

“The recorded audio of Vance telling donors at a fundraiser in Golden Valley, Minnesota, on Saturday that “all of us were hit with a little bit of a political sucker punch” when the president, Joe Biden, withdrew from the 2024 race⟳ was leaked to the Washington Post⟳.”

CEFR level