pinch and a punch for the first of the month

Phrase

pinch and a punch for the first of the month

1. (Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, UK) Said on the first day of a new month, while pinching and punching someone as a prank (especially by children). The victim may respond with "a flick and a kick for being so quick" and the original attacker may reply with "a punch in the eye for being so sly".
   • ‘Pinch and a punch for the first of the month.’ I nurse my wounded arm and look down at my giggling son.
     'You just hit me.'
     'No I didn't. That's what you do on the first of the month.'
     'Who says so?'
     He looks at me exasperated.2009, Ellie Nielsen, Buying a Piece of Paris: A Memoir, page 208
2. (Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, UK) More generally, a pair of attacks or setbacks at the start of something.
   • It does not seem to be the Minister for the Environment's day, he has really had a pinch and a punch for the first of the month. He received a punch a few minute ago, and now he is being pinched. It is significant that the Bill is intended to come into force on 1 April next year. The Bill was...1981, Parliamentary Debates, New Zealand. Parliament. House of Representatives, page 3112
   • Bugger, this wasn't the goods at all – this was a pinch and a punch for the first of the month. A letter in fact from Fire Commander Bruce stating that although he was in receipt of my application, neither he nor the Fire Commander of IB were certain of the Fire Service Commission's final policy...2007, Anne Barry, Playing with Fire, page 59