1US informal Deliberately undertake particular assignments that are likely to lead to promotion at work.
‘Giles had punched his ticket at all the right stops within the journal’
‘Last Sunday, the Terrapins punched their ticket to an eleventh straight NCAA tournament with an uninspiring, painful to watch victory over a mediocre University of Virginia team.’
‘He had punched his ticket as a climbing Sherpa, but the next challenge was to make his mark on Everest.’
‘Johannesburg kept his record perfect and punched his ticket for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile later this month.’
‘He punched his ticket to the classics with a 3 3/4-length win in the Arkansas Derby but was eased three weeks later in the Kentucky Derby.’
‘War Chant punched his ticket to the Kentucky Derby when he won the San Rafael Stakes and was second in the Santa Anita Derby.’
‘The Cardinals have a manager who has punched his ticket to the Hall of Fame; the Astros have one who finally has proved what he can do when he has enough good players.’
‘Reba's Gold punched his ticket to Japan with a win in the Steinlen Handicap on November 10.’
‘After a mediocre regular season saw them finish at 12-8, the Golden Bears ripped off an impressive post-season run to punch their ticket for the big dance with the Canada West championship.’
‘That's not to say some big names weren't still looking to punch their ticket to 2004-05.’
‘The Bucs still have tough games against New England and Atlanta before they can punch their ticket to the play-offs.’
1.1(in sports) ensure one's progress to a further contest or tournament.
‘in scoring 13 points, they punched their ticket to the Super Bowl in Jacksonville’
‘That's not to say some big names weren't still looking to punch their ticket to 2004-05.’
‘The Bucs still have tough games against New England and Atlanta before they can punch their ticket to the playoffs.’
‘Last year the Saints had to sneak into the B.C.s via the back-door but would rather punch their ticket more easily this time out.’
‘These are the kinds of things that would punch my ticket to either the Puget Sound or Silicon Valley.’
‘Last Sunday, the Terrapins punched their ticket to an eleventh straight NCAA tournament with an uninspiring, painful to watch victory over a mediocre University of Virginia team.’
‘I find it to be a filthy and disgusting act, and ultimately a way for people to punch their ticket for an eternity in hell.’
‘If the season hasn't already punched his ticket to Cooperstown, N.Y., then a third MVP Award certainly would guarantee his place in the Hall of Fame.’
‘Folklore did not waffle in her response, delivering a 14-length knockout of six other rivals to punch her ticket to the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies on Saturday.’
‘Well, the Democrats finally punched their ticket and surprise, surprise, it's the Johns: Kerry and Edwards.’
‘At 39, he probably has punched his ticket to Cooperstown with a résumé that includes 2,639 hits, 564 doubles and 1,603 runs.’
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