Idiom
beat someone to the punch and beat someone to the draw
Theme: EARLY
to do something before someone else does it.I wanted to have the first new car, but Sally beat me to the punch.I planned to write a book about computers, but someone else beat me to the draw.
Idiom
beat someone to the punchbeat (someone) to the punch
American to do something before someone else does it.I was thinking of applying for that job but Carol beat me to the punch.