Punch someone's ticket

After building a business in the Texas oil world, Bush punched his ticket in the House of Representatives; served briefly as U.N. ambassador, Republican National Committee chairman and U.S. envoy to China; led the CIA for just under a year; ran for the GOP presidential nomination; joined Ronald Reagan’s ticket; and finally captured the White House, where he guided America through the Cold War’s end and stared down a Middle East dictator.

Just don't expect getting that promotion or winning that Pulitzer to punch your ticket to bliss.

The Mustangs emphatically punched their ticket to the Canadian college football final with a 61-6 rout of visiting St. Francis Xavier in the Mitchell Bowl on Saturday.

I always thought that if anyone ever broke into my house, that would be his last break-in. I'd get the gun and punch his ticket on the spot.

Phil put his arms around him. Drew him in close, pressed his cheek to Dane's the way the Mafiosi in the fifties would kiss somebody right before they punched his ticket.

The two lawmen punched his ticket with four well-aimed rifle shots.