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wallop

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a nasty wallop

A severe and powerful blow, which may be either dealt or received. I got a really nasty wallop from a two-by-four on the construction site last week. His left hook can deal a nasty wallop if he catches you with it.

See also: nasty, wallop

pack a wallop

 and pack a punch

Fig. to provide a burst of energy, power, or excitement. Wow, this spicy food really packs a wallop. I put a special kind of gasoline in my car because I thought it would pack a punch. It didn't.

See also: pack, wallop

pack a punch

to have a powerful effect or influence For big flavor, a blend of cumin, chili powder, coriander, cayenne, and black pepper packs a punch.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of pack a punch (hit very hard)

See also: pack, punch

pack a punch

  (informal)

if someone can pack a punch, they can hit very hard when they are fighting He's a big guy - I should imagine he can pack a fair punch.

See also: pack, punch

pack a punch

Also, pack a wallop.

1. Be capable of a forceful blow; also, deliver a forceful blow. For example, Knowing Bob could pack a wicked punch, they were careful not to anger him, or She swung her handbag, really packing a wallop. [Colloquial; c. 1920]

2. Have a powerful effect, as in That vodka martini packed a wallop. Thomas Wolfe had this figurative usage in a letter (c. 1938): "I think my play, The House, will pack a punch."

See also: pack, punch

wallop

(ˈwɑləp)

1. n. a hard blow. She planted a hard wallop on his right shoulder.

2. tv. to strike someone or something hard. The door swung open and walloped me in the back.

3. n. influence; pull; clout. I don’t have enough wallop to make that kind of demand.