BASEBALL IDIOMS
This month we’re looking at some more idioms that have come from baseball.IDIOMS
Make a
pitch for
something
TO TRY TO
PERSUADE
PEOPLE TO
SUPPORT
YOU.
“They made
a pitch for
changing
over to the
new system.”Take a rain check
THIS IS SOMETHING YOU SAY
WHEN YOU CAN’T ACCEPT
SOMEONE’S INVITATION
TO DO SOMETHING, BUT
YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO IT
ANOTHER TIME.
A: Do you want to go out
tonight?
B: I think I’ll take a rain check on
that as I’ve got a lot of work to
do tomorrow.Knock one out of
the park
TO HAVE A
GREAT IDEA; TO
DO SOMETHING
EXTREMELY WELL.
“You knocked one
out of the park in
that meeting – the
presentation was a real
success.”Not in the same league
NOT NEARLY AS GOOD AS
SOMETHING OR SOMEONE ELSE.
“This computer isn’t in the same
league as the one I had before. It isn’t
half as good.”Three strikes and you’re out.
THIS MEANS THAT YOU COULD BE PUNISHED OR
OUT OF A JOB IF YOU DO THREE BAD THINGS
CONSECUTIVELY.
“OK, you can have the job, but three strikes and you’re out.”Two strikes
against you
IF SOMEONE HAS
“TWO STRIKES
AGAINST THEM”,
THEY ONLY
HAVE ONE MORE
CHANCE. IF THEY DO
SOMETHING ELSE
BAD, THEY WILL BE
PUNISHED / SENT TO
PRISON, ETC.
“You’ve already got two
strikes against you, so
be careful or you’ll be
out of here!”Score a home run / hit a home run
TO DO SOMETHING VERY WELL; TO BE A WINNER.
“You really scored a home run in that scene you acted in.
You really looked like a professional actor.”(part I I)
A totally
different ball
game / a whole
new ball game /
a whole other
ball game
A COMPLETELY
DIFFERENT
SITUATION.
“I’d been climbing
many times before,
but going up an
icy rock face in the
Alps was a totally
diferent ball game.”Bases are loaded
IF YOUR “BASES ARE LOADED”, YOU’VE
GOT A BIG COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE.
“I’m sure we’ll get that contract. We’ve got more
experience than the other company, and the
right equipment. Our bases are loaded.”AUDIO38 / http://www.learnhotenglish.com / For lots of free content visit our blog: http://www.learnhotenglish.com/blog