punch-up
1 of 2noun
ˈpənch-ˌəp 
chiefly British
: fistfight
punch up
2 of 2verb
punched up; punching up; punches up
transitive verb
: to give energy or forcefulness to
jokes added to punch up a speech
Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1958, in the meaning defined above
Verb
circa 1959, in the meaning defined above
punch-up
noun
as in fisticuffs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- fisticuffs
- fistfight
- slugfest
- confrontation
- blows
- melee
- brawl
- duel
- donnybrook
- affray
- mêlée
- battle royal
- altercation
- ruckus
- joust
- squabble
- punch-out
- scuffle
- spat
- grapple
- tussle
- ruction
- quarrel
- broil
- dispute
- mix-up
- face-off
- tiff
- free-for-all
- pitched battle
- contretemps
- handgrips
- skirmish
- controversy
- clash
- dustup
- wrangle
- catfight
- tangle
- misunderstanding
- rough-and-tumble
- fracas
- disagreement
- falling-out
- cross fire
- argy-bargy
- fight
- scrimmage
- battle
- row
- argument
- combat
- struggle
- argle-bargle
- conflict
- scrum
- contest
- kickup
- fray
- scrap
- hassle
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- truce