punch drunk

punch-drunk

1. Disoriented, confused, or unable to concentrate as a result of one or more heavy blows to the head; suffering the effects of a concussion. Said especially of boxers. That boxer was punch-drunk after being knocked out in the ring—he couldn't even remember his name! You could tell the retired fighter was a bit punch-drunk after taking so many hits over the years.
2. Exhausted or fatigued to the point of disorientation or incoherent thought. I'm feeling a bit punch-drunk after studying for exams for two days straight. Of course he's punch-drunk—he's been driving for 12 hours straight!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

punch drunk

Confused, dazed. This term comes from boxing, where it is applied to boxers who have sustained brain damage from repeatedly being hit in the head. As a result they may have tremors of the hands, a stumbling gait, hesitant speech, and similar signs of cerebral damage. The term was first so used about 1915 and soon afterward began to be applied to any person who seems dazed or confused owing to lack of sleep, disorientation, or other circumstances. In a 60 Minutes interview of President Barack Obama concerning the bad state of the world economy, host Steve Kroft said, “You are laughing about some of these problems. . . . Are you punch-drunk?” (March 24, 2009).
See also: drunk, punch
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • punch-drunk
  • punchy
  • (one) doesn't know which way is up or down
  • headfucker
  • on Queer Street
  • Queer Street
  • be out of it
  • be/feel out of it/things
  • space
  • spaced
References in periodicals archive
But Mwangi, who was not punch drunk after the flurry of punches, walked out of the KICC ring in huff threatening to take the matter to the next level.
Tanzanians stop boxers from fighting in Kenya
ANTHONY DALY said it was like looking at 'punch drunk boxers' as the Dublin SHC final ended in stalemate after extratime.
DUB FINALISTS PUNCH DRUNK
shivering your scales, you, punch drunk with sweetness.
Punch Drunk
With a stellar list of stand-up talent soon to be announced, full details of the line-up will be revealed at their sold-out Punch Drunk event in Blyth on July 3, featuring Britain's Got Talent finalist Daliso Chaponda.
Festival fans in for a treat this summer
Punch drunk Mark McGhee was left raging after Motherwell had a goal controversially ruled out at Dens but he avoided landing in trouble with the officials by simply fantasising about beating them up.
G AL POSTS Kevin McAllion's; EXTRA TIME FROM AROUND THE GROUNDS
CHRIS ZABLOCKI claims he won't be punch drunk in tomorrow's Edinburgh Marathon even though the American will aim to go the distance for the seventh time this year.
Zablocki's up for a Marathon fight
Perhaps I've become a little punch drunk from all the high court action and words from Sisu, the council and ACL, but please explain how we can become successful again.
A Football League club needs to own its ground; Letters letters@coventrytelegraph.net
THIS movie has the most bone-snapping hand-to-hand violence I've ever seen and will leave audiences punch drunk.
Get kicks from endless fights; NOW SHOWING; Films
Music New Year's Eve party with Punch Drunk Monday, 8 p.m.
Tuesday/31
The former player, who took part in the study, was found to have higher levels of the protein than a retired amateur boxer who has dementia pugilistica, also known as punch drunk syndrome.
Doctors find link between dementia and playing rugby, football
By night, Meredith Gafford is a singer with a scorching voice whose band Punch Drunk Soul is a knockout hit with audiences.
Murder by day, music by night for Meredith; Uni psychology teacher is also a hit as a rock singer
We were punch drunk at times, but we were very spirited.
Rugby: Ireland victory over US
ROBERTO MANCINI was fuming as his Manchester City millionaires were left punch drunk by Wolves.
MANCINI ON THE ROCKS; Need a drink, Roberto?
"Survivors left punch drunk by the process may not have the levels of motivation and commitment needed to capitalise on any recovery.
Job losses undermine recovery
Page 8 Punch drunk The cries of persecution look a little much, given the amount of trouble Punch Taverns has brought upon itself.
30.04.2009