punch holes in
idiom
: to weaken or destroy (an idea, plan, belief, etc.) by proving that parts of it are wrong
Lawyers tried to punch holes in her argument.
Examples of punch holes in in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Indian forces managed to punch holes in hangars at sensitive Pakistani air bases and leave craters on runways, although only after losing aircraft in aerial face-offs with its longtime adversary.
—
Mujib Mashal, New York Times, 18 May 2025
California Menendez brothers’ bid for freedom stalled by fight over parole board document
April 17, 2025
Balian spent the morning trying to punch holes in the relatively clean reputations the brothers have earned behind bars.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2025
DIYers can punch holes in a plastic bottle or create a wicking system with a container of water and strips of absorbent material such as yarn or cloth.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
For the past year, Russian forces have been waging an intense campaign to punch holes in Ukraine’s defenses in the Donetsk region and weaken Kyiv’s grip on the eastern parts of the country.
—Samya Kullab, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025
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Mujib Mashal, New York Times, 18 May 2025
California Menendez brothers’ bid for freedom stalled by fight over parole board document
April 17, 2025
Balian spent the morning trying to punch holes in the relatively clean reputations the brothers have earned behind bars.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2025
DIYers can punch holes in a plastic bottle or create a wicking system with a container of water and strips of absorbent material such as yarn or cloth.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
For the past year, Russian forces have been waging an intense campaign to punch holes in Ukraine’s defenses in the Donetsk region and weaken Kyiv’s grip on the eastern parts of the country.
—Samya Kullab, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punch holes in
Cite this Entry
“Punch holes in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punch%20holes%20in. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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