"Beats the punch" is an idiom that means to act or arrive before someone else in order to avoid missing out on something. There are several synonyms for this phrase that can be used in different contexts. For instance, "outmaneuver" means to outsmart someone or to gain an advantage over them. "Preempt" means to take action before someone else does. "Get the jump on" means to start doing something before someone else does. "Anticipate" means to expect or foresee something before it happens. Overall, using these alternatives can add variety and specificity to one's language, allowing for clearer communication and more precise expression.