"Beating someone to the punch" is a colloquialism that means getting ahead of someone or doing something before they can. This phrase can be replaced by synonyms such as "preempting," "anticipating," or "outmaneuvering." "Preempting" is when you take action to prevent someone else from doing something. "Anticipating" means to expect or predict someone's actions before they happen. "Outmaneuvering" involves using tactics to outwit or outsmart someone. All of these words convey the sense of taking action before someone else can, whether it's preventing them from doing something or surprising them with your actions.