roll with the punches
Related to roll with the punches: roughshod, up to par
roll with the punches
1. Literally, in martial arts (especially boxing), to maneuver one's body away from a blow so as to lessen the force of the impact. He's not the most aggressive fighter, but he relies on his endurance and skill, rolling with the punches to wear down his opponent until the best moment to strike.
2. By extension, to adapt to setbacks, difficulties, or adversity so as to better manage or cope with their impact on one's life. Losing my job was really tough, but I've just been trying to roll with the punches until I get back on my feet. Remember to roll with the punches during the debate— don't get hung up on the mistakes that you make.
See also: punch, roll
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
roll with the punches
Fig. to absorb the force of a blow, as in boxing. You have to learn to roll with the punches. Accept what is dealt to you. Paul could never roll with the punches. He always had to get even.
See also: punch, roll
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
roll with the punches
Cope with and withstand adversity, especially by being flexible. For example, She'd had three different editors for her book, each with a different style, but she'd learned to roll with the punches . This term alludes to the boxer's ability to deflect the full force of an opponent's blow by adroitly moving his body. [Mid-1900s]
See also: punch, roll
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
roll with the punches
If someone rolls with the punches, they do not allow difficulties or criticism to affect them badly. He has impressed all sides by his ability to negotiate and willingness to roll with the punches. He has had to learn how to roll with the punches and seek out the positive in every problem. Note: If boxers roll with the punches, they move their head and body backwards, away from their opponent's punch.
See also: punch, roll
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
roll with the punches
1 (of a boxer) move their body away from an opponent's blows so as to lessen the impact. 2 adapt yourself to difficult or adverse circumstances.See also: punch, roll
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
roll with the ˈpunches
adapt yourself to a difficult situation: Well, there’s nothing we can do to change things. We’ll just have to learn to roll with the punches.This idiom comes from a technique used in boxing, where the boxer moves away from the punch to avoid a direct hit.
See also: punch, roll
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
roll with the punches
Slang To cope with and withstand adversity, especially by being flexible.
See also: punch, roll
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
roll with the punches, to
To adapt to adversity. The term comes from boxing, in which a contestant shifts his body to the side so as to deflect the full force of the opponent’s blow. By the mid-twentieth century it had become a metaphor for dealing with difficult circumstances, as in H. Kurnitz’s Invasion of Privacy (1956): “He had mastered the tack of rolling with the punches, rendering himself invisible when a crisis darkened the skies.”
See also: roll
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- roll with the punches, to
- ride with the punches
- dwindle away
- lessen up
- maneuver
- manoeuvre
- room for/to maneuver
- freedom
- freedom of maneuver
- freedom of/room for manoeuvre