punch someone's ticket

present singular third person punches someone's ticket · participle present punching someone's ticket · participle past punched someone's ticket · past punched someone's ticket

1. North Americaidiomaticoften followed by to or forTo put someone, especially oneself, in a position to advance or to achieve a desired objective; to gain useful experience.

   Just don't expect getting that promotion or winning that Pulitzer to punch your ticket to bliss.

   2019 May 28, A. C. Shilton, “You Accomplished Something Great. So Now What?”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 08 Nov 2019, retrieved 08 Dec 2021

   2 more examples

   After building a business in the Texas oil world, Bush punched his ticket in the House of Representatives; served briefly as U.N. ambassador, Republican National Committee chairman and U.S. envoy to China; led the CIA for just under a year; ran for the GOP presidential nomination; joined Ronald Reagan’s ticket; and finally captured the White House, where he guided America through the Cold War’s end and stared down a Middle East dictator.

   2015 November 13, Carlos Lozada, “DESTINY AND POWER: The American Odyssey of George Herbert Walker Bush”, in Washington Post, archived from the original on 24 Jun 2025

   The Mustangs emphatically punched their ticket to the Canadian college football final with a 61-6 rout of visiting St. Francis Xavier in the Mitchell Bowl on Saturday.

   2021 November 27, “Western, Saskatchewan advance to Vanier Cup in very different ways”, in The Toronto Star, Canada, archived from the original on 01 Dec 2025, retrieved 10 Dec 2021

   Synonyms: get one's ticket punched

2. North AmericaidiomaticTo seriously harm or kill someone.

   The two lawmen punched his ticket with four well-aimed rifle shots.

   2016, Dusty Richards, Deadly Is the Night, Pinnacle Books, →ISBN, retrieved 08 Dec 2021

   2 more examples

   I always thought that if anyone ever broke into my house, that would be his last break-in. I'd get the gun and punch his ticket on the spot.

   1991 August 11, Paul Ciotti, “If He's Such a Hero, Why Does He Feel Like a Wimp?”, in Los Angeles Times, archived from the original on 10 Dec 2021, retrieved 08 Dec 2021

   Phil put his arms around him. Drew him in close, pressed his cheek to Dane's the way the Mafiosi in the fifties would kiss somebody right before they punched his ticket.

   2006, Tom Piccirilli, Headstone City, Random House, →ISBN, retrieved 08 Dec 2021, page 189