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Punching down 

To insult or abuse someone for being lesser in some way (usually objectively) than yourself.
Stop being an asshole and punching down just because you're better at sports.
Punching down by TheAlps November 11, 2022
Urban Dictionary Merch

punching down 

For someone of higher rank, power, status, and position to engage someone of much lesser and/or inferior rank, status, power, and position in debate and/or argument. Not limited to just status, power, position, and rank but can and often do include intellect, capability, competence, and acumen.
Oprah Winfrey didn't dignify Donald Trump's attack on her with a response because she doesn't believe in punching down.

Punching Down 

Making a choice that is beneath your personal level of acceptance or standard.
"Dog, ol' girl wants to get with me but I ain't feelin' her look. I ain't punching down just to get some pussy."

"My job wants me to take a pay cut for the same amount of work? Oh no, I am not punching down-fuck that I'm out!!!"

Punching down 

It's the only direction I have left to punch.
Hym "I helicoptered my arms to hard and now I'm better than everyone. Punching down is the only direction left!"
Punching down by Hym Iam November 25, 2024

Punching down 

How can I be punching down when you think the people I'm talking about are better than me? You are trying to turn this into a popularity contest because you know that I will lose and you are generalizing and decontextualizing everything I say.
A fucking retard "Uh, I don't like bullies, uuuuh... I'm definitely not doing it because the things he said apply to me and mean that I'm a retarded, morally bankrupt piece of shit uuhhh. Yeah, the thing."

Hym "It's about submission and it's about getting me to accept the bullshit you say regardless of whether or it's true. It can't be punching down if you think the people being punched are above me (conceptually). You think she is fucking the retard explicitly because the retard is better than me. You think I'm a bad man and that bad men are worse than women. How is that punching down to you? You cannot think the thing you are claiming to think. If being an assburger is a super power, how am I punching down? The only way for me to be punching down is for me to be better than everyone I'm punching."
Punching down by Hym Iam February 21, 2025

Punching down

"Punching down" refers to when someone is mocking an individual or group that has less power or status than you.
Hey man, I feel that joke you made about hitting your wife over a poorly made was inappropriate and totally punching down.
Punching down by chiaseed42 September 12, 2026
More from Urban Dictionary

Concrete cowboy 

A guy who thinks he's a country kinda guy, but in reality lives a comfortable city / suburban life.
Eugene: Look at that dude in the cowboy hat!
Todd: He's just a concrete cowboy.
Word of the Day on September 20, 2026
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