30 Idioms for Baseball

The grand slam of linguistic expressions in the realm of baseball! This article is all about hitting the right notes with the idioms that have woven themselves into the very fabric of the sport.

So, let’s step up to the plate and explore the fascinating world of baseball idioms – where language and the diamond collide.

30 idioms for baseball

Idioms for Baseball

1. Take a Swing

Meaning: To attempt something.

In a Sentence: Just like a batter in the bottom of the ninth, sometimes you just have to take a swing at life’s curveballs.

2. Knocked it Out of the Park

Meaning: Excelled or succeeded at something.

In a Sentence: With his groundbreaking invention, John truly knocked it out of the park in the tech world.

3. Struck Out

Meaning: Failed at something.

In a Sentence: Despite his best efforts, Tim struck out on his first attempt to start a business.

4. Batter Up

Meaning: It’s time to begin or start something.

In a Sentence: The new year is here; batter up for a fresh start and new opportunities.

5. Base Hit

Meaning: A small success or accomplishment.

In a Sentence: Graduating with honors was a base hit in her academic journey.

6. Hit a Home Run

Meaning: A major success or accomplishment.

In a Sentence: The team hit a home run with their innovative marketing campaign.

7. In the Ballgame

Meaning: Actively participating or involved in something.

In a Sentence: Don’t just watch from the sidelines; get in the ballgame and make a difference.

8. Off Base

Meaning: Incorrect or inaccurate.

In a Sentence: His assumptions about the project were completely off base.

9. On Deck

Meaning: Next in line or up next.

In a Sentence: With retirement on the horizon, a new generation of leaders is on deck.

10. Pitch a Shutout

Meaning: To completely prevent someone from scoring or achieving something.

In a Sentence: Despite numerous challenges, she managed to pitch a shutout against her competitors.

11. Play Ball

Meaning: To cooperate or comply.

In a Sentence: In order to succeed, everyone needs to play ball as a cohesive team.

12. Step Up to the Plate

Meaning: To take on a challenge or responsibility.

In a Sentence: When opportunity knocks, it’s time to step up to the plate and show what you’re made of.

13. Thrown for a Curveball

Meaning: Surprised or caught off guard by something unexpected.

In a Sentence: The sudden change in plans really threw us for a curveball.

14. Touch Base

Meaning: To make contact or check in with someone.

In a Sentence: Let’s touch base next week to discuss the project’s progress.

15. Up to Bat

Meaning: To have a turn or opportunity to do something.

In a Sentence: As the new manager, it’s your turn to be up to bat and lead the team.

16. Batting a Thousand

Meaning: To be extremely successful or perfect at something.

In a Sentence: Sarah has been batting a thousand in her sales performance this quarter.

17. Caught Looking

Meaning: To be unprepared or caught off guard.

In a Sentence: The unexpected question in the meeting caught him looking, and he stumbled over his response.

18. Double Play

Meaning: To accomplish two things at once.

In a Sentence: Multi-tasking can feel like executing a double play – challenging but rewarding.

19. Extra Innings

Meaning: To continue beyond the expected or required time or effort.

In a Sentence: The project went into extra innings, but the team’s dedication paid off in the end.

20. Fan Favorite

Meaning: A person or thing that is popular with a group of people.

In a Sentence: The new software became a fan favorite among users for its user-friendly interface.

21. First Base

Meaning: The first step or beginning of something.

In a Sentence: Before diving into complex tasks, make sure you’ve covered first base with the basics.

22. Go to Bat For (Someone)

Meaning: To support or defend someone.

In a Sentence: True friends are always ready to go to bat for each other in times of need.

23. In the Dugout

Meaning: Not actively participating or involved in something.

In a Sentence: While waiting for the decision, he felt like he was in the dugout, watching the game unfold.

24. Make it to First Base

Meaning: To make a small amount of progress or success.

In a Sentence: Completing the introductory course was making it to first base in his language learning journey.

25. Out of Left Field

Meaning: Something that is unexpected or strange.

In a Sentence: The sudden announcement of the merger came out of left field and surprised everyone.

26. Play Hardball

Meaning: To be aggressive or forceful.

In a Sentence: In negotiations, sometimes you have to play hardball to get what you need.

27. Round the Bases

Meaning: To make progress or progress quickly.

In a Sentence: With careful planning, you can round the bases of your project efficiently.

28. Safe at Home

Meaning: To be secure or successful in a situation.

In a Sentence: After years of hard work, she finally felt safe at home in her career.

29. Slug it Out

Meaning: To engage in a difficult or strenuous activity.

In a Sentence: When facing challenges, sometimes you have to slug it out to come out victorious.

30. Take it to Extra Innings

Meaning: To continue an activity or discussion for a longer period of time than expected.

In a Sentence: The negotiations took it to extra innings, but both parties reached a satisfactory agreement.

Summary

IdiomMeaningExample Sentence
Take a SwingTo attempt somethingJust like a batter in the bottom of the ninth, sometimes you just have to take a swing at life’s curveballs.
Knocked it Out of the ParkExcelled or succeeded at somethingWith his groundbreaking invention, John truly knocked it out of the park in the tech world.
Struck OutFailed at somethingDespite his best efforts, Tim struck out on his first attempt to start a business.
Batter UpIt’s time to begin or start somethingThe new year is here; batter up for a fresh start and new opportunities.
Base HitA small success or accomplishmentGraduating with honors was a base hit in her academic journey.
Hit a Home RunA major success or accomplishmentThe team hit a home run with their innovative marketing campaign.
In the BallgameActively participating or involved in somethingDon’t just watch from the sidelines; get in the ballgame and make a difference.
Off BaseIncorrect or inaccurateHis assumptions about the project were completely off base.
On DeckNext in line or up nextWith retirement on the horizon, a new generation of leaders is on deck.
Pitch a ShutoutTo completely prevent someone from scoring or achieving somethingDespite numerous challenges, she managed to pitch a shutout against her competitors.
Play BallTo cooperate or complyIn order to succeed, everyone needs to play ball as a cohesive team.
Step Up to the PlateTo take on a challenge or responsibilityWhen opportunity knocks, it’s time to step up to the plate and show what you’re made of.
Thrown for a CurveballSurprised or caught off guard by something unexpectedThe sudden change in plans really threw us for a curveball.
Touch BaseTo make contact or check in with someoneLet’s touch base next week to discuss the project’s progress.
Up to BatTo have a turn or opportunity to do somethingAs the new manager, it’s your turn to be up to bat and lead the team.
Batting a ThousandTo be extremely successful or perfect at somethingSarah has been batting a thousand in her sales performance this quarter.
Caught LookingTo be unprepared or caught off guardThe unexpected question in the meeting caught him looking, and he stumbled over his response.
Double PlayTo accomplish two things at onceMulti-tasking can feel like executing a double play – challenging but rewarding.
Extra InningsTo continue beyond the expected or required time or effortThe project went into extra innings, but the team’s dedication paid off in the end.
Fan FavoriteA person or thing that is popular with a group of peopleThe new software became a fan favorite among users for its user-friendly interface.
First BaseThe first step or beginning of somethingBefore diving into complex tasks, make sure you’ve covered first base with the basics.
Go to Bat For (Someone)To support or defend someoneTrue friends are always ready to go to bat for each other in times of need.
In the DugoutNot actively participating or involved in somethingWhile waiting for the decision, he felt like he was in the dugout, watching the game unfold.
Make it to First BaseTo make a small amount of progress or successCompleting the introductory course was making it to first base in his language learning journey.
Out of Left FieldSomething that is unexpected or strangeThe sudden announcement of the merger came out of left field and surprised everyone.
Play HardballTo be aggressive or forcefulIn negotiations, sometimes you have to play hardball to get what you need.
Round the BasesTo make progress or progress quicklyWith careful planning, you can round the bases of your project efficiently.
Safe at HomeTo be secure or successful in a situationAfter years of hard work, she finally felt safe at home in her career.
Slug it OutTo engage in a difficult or strenuous activityWhen facing challenges, sometimes you have to slug it out to come out victorious.
Take it to Extra InningsTo continue an activity or discussion for a longer period of time than expectedThe negotiations took it to extra innings, but both parties reached a satisfactory agreement.

Conclusion

And there you have it – a comprehensive rundown of baseball idioms that not only add flavor to the language but also offer valuable insights into life’s twists and turns. So, the next time you’re faced with a curveball, remember these idioms, step up to the plate, and knock it out of the park! Play ball!

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