punch line

punch line

See also: punchline

English

Alternative forms

• punchline
• punch-line

Etymology

Probably American. It was probably meant to be likened to a quick, sharp punch.

Noun

punch line (plural punch lines)

1. The final part of a joke; the word, sentence, or exchange of sentences that is intended to be funny and provokes laughter from the listeners.

   That was quite a build-up for such a puny punch line.

2. More generally, a final, concluding statement that an explanation has been leading up to.

Translations

final part of a joke

Dutch: clou (nl) m, pointe (nl) f Egyptian Arabic: إفيه‎ m (efeh) French: chute (fr) German: Pointe (de) f Hungarian: csattanó (hu), poén (hu)

Italian: culmine (it), battuta finale, battuta conclusiva Japanese: 落ち (ochi), 笑いどころ (waraidokoro) Polish: puenta (pl) f Russian: соль (ru) f (solʹ) Spanish: remate (es) m

final, concluding statement

Spanish: broche (es) m