What Does “Punching” Mean? UK Relationship Slang, Defined

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Defining the Love Island and TikTok-trending term

Co-authored by Aly Rusciano Reviewed by Anyah Le Gilmore-Jones

Last Updated: February 13, 2024

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What is punching?

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Examples of “Punching”

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Other Love Island Slang Words

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You’re scrolling through TikTok when you come across the trend #whospunching. In relationships, “punching” describes someone dating out of their league. The phrase is most common in the UK but has recently made it across the pond thanks to the reality TV show Love Island. Keep reading to learn more about this British slang term and how you can use it in everyday conversation.

Section 1 of 3:

What is punching?

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“Punching” is a British slang term to say someone’s out of your league. In the United Kingdom, people use the term “punching” to describe and compare the attractiveness of a couple. The slang term originally came from the boxing phrase “punching above your weight,” which means a boxer is trying to fight someone above their weight class. Today, the term refers to dating someone who’s more attractive than you.^{[1]
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- More often than not, the term is used in the phrase “Who’s punching?” This is typically said amongst friends asking which partner is the best-looking or biggest catch.
  - This phrase is also used widely on TikTok with #whospunching and a picture of the couple.
- Say a friend comments, “Jack's punching.” This means that your buddy Jack is dating someone who’s more attractive than he is.
- Those outside of the UK may have come across the term watching the hit reality TV show Love Island U.K., where contestants are isolated in a villa with the hope of finding love.^{[2]
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Section 2 of 3:

Examples of “Punching”

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“John is pushing his luck, mate. He’s definitely punching.”

“Are you punching? She doesn’t seem like your type.”

“He’s punching with her. I don’t know how he does it.”

“Who do you think’s punching? I’d say the girl, for sure.”

“Girl, you’re punching. Don’t you see it?”

“He's punching with you. You can do better!”

Section 3 of 3:

Other Love Island Slang Words

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Crack on If someone's “cracking on,” it means they’re hooking up, or engaging in romantic activities.^{[3]
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- “Johnny’s cracking on. It’ll be a while.”
- “Did you crack on? Tell me all about it.”
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Graft If someone's “grafting,” they’re aggressively flirting. This term refers to openly appealing to a potential partner’s emotional and physical needs. This may involve making flirtatious comments, winking, or stroking someone’s arm.^{[4]
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- “She’s totally grafting.”
- “Are you grafting me? If so, it’s working.”
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Melt If someone's called a “melt,” they’re a coward or wimp. This common UK slang term recently became popular on reality TV’s Love Island.^{[5]
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- “Just ask them out already! Stop being such a melt.”
- “Me? Interested in that melt? I don’t think so.”
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Snog If someone’s “snogging,” it means they’re kissing or making out. This type of kiss isn’t typically romantic and has a negative connotation.^{[6]
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- “Did you see them snogging at the party? So gross.”
- “So, did you two snog last night?”