English language idioms derived from baseball

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The following is a list of baseball phrases which have become idioms in American English. For phrases relating to the game of baseball, see baseball jargon

Paul Dickson says in his introduction to The New Dickson Baseball Dictionary, "The influence of baseball on American English at large is stunning and strong." No other sport has contributed so richly to American English as baseball.

Slang terms (as distinct from jargon) have evolved a usage and meaning independent of baseball and are often used by those with little knowledge of the game. Many of these terms are deeply entrenched in the American psyche; many have spread to other dialects of English, such as Canadian English.

Baseball slang is particularly used to describe the level of physical intimacy achieved in a relationship (e.g., "I got to first base last night"). Although the terms are listed below as well.

What follows are common English idiomatic and slang terms, each of which derives from baseball jargon or baseball slang.

Contents:	Top - 0–9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

 

B

• ballpark: in the ballpark, ballpark figure, and out of the ballpark — "Ballpark" has been used to mean a broad area of approximation or similarity, or a range within which comparison is possible; this usage OED dates to 1960. Another meaning, "sphere of activity or influence", is cited in 1963. "In the (right) ballpark", meaning "within reasonable bounds" dates to 1968. A "ballpark figure" or "ballpark estimate", one that is reasonably accurate, dates to 1967.[1]

"'They said Itanium would never be their fastest 32-bit processor, but it would be in the ballpark. The original x86 hardware execution mechanism wasn't in the ballpark. It was barely in the parking lot around the ballpark,' Brookwood said.' — Stephen Shankland, "Intel plans Itanium course correction", The New York Times, 23 April 2003

"Patrick Wiles, a vice president of First Pioneer Farm Credit in Riverhead, said the 'ballpark figure' for prime vineyard land on the North Fork is $50,000 to $60,000 an acre, 'assuming the development rights have been sold.'" — Howard G. Goldberg, "Long Island Vines; Macari Price: $9.5 Million", The New York Times, 18 July 2004

• batting 1000 or batting a thousand — Getting everything in a series of items right. In baseball, someone with a batting average of one thousand (written as 1.000) has had a hit for every at bat in the relevant time period (e.g. in a game). AHDI dates its non-baseball usage to the 1920s.[2] May also be used ironically when someone is getting everything wrong.

"But Boston Scientific also needs to hope that a rare event does not become magnified, he said. 'It has to be pretty much batting a thousand for a time,' he said." — Reed Abelson, "After a Recall, Boston Scientific Tries to Assure Wary Investors", The New York Times, July 27, 2004

• big league(s), used as a noun ("You're in the big leagues now") or an adjective ("big-league lawyer"). OED cites "big league" as specifically American major-league baseball, and cites its first use in 1899; the non-baseball use appears in 1947.[3] Contrast bush league, below.

"For a listener who last heard the New Haven Symphony in the mid-60's, in a game but scrappy performance of Britten's 'War Requiem,' its concert on Friday evening was a happy surprise. Under its music director, Michael Palmer, it sounded for the most part like a big-league band, at home in a big-league setting." — James Oestreich, "New Haven Symphony Orchestra Carnegie Hall", The New York Times, 25 January 1994

• brush back — To subvert or threaten verbally. In baseball, a nickname for any pitch intended to establish a pitcher's command of the inside portion of the strike zone, usually involving throwing a pitch at or near a hitter who may be covering that portion of the strike zone. Its baseball usage is cited in many dictionaries[4][5][6], but its transition to the vernacular has yet to be cited or dated.

"The Washington Times' George Archibald reports that Gerald A. Reynolds, assistant secretary for civil rights in the Department of Education, has sent a long overdue brush-back letter to college and university officials concerning their odious and oppressive campus speech codes." — David Limbaugh, "Targeting speech codes on campus", The Washington Times, August 19, 2003.

• bush-league (n. or adj.) — amateur, unsophisticated, unprofessional. From the baseball term for a second-rate baseball league (n.) and therefore its players (adj., as in bush-league pitcher etc). OED cites its first baseball use as 1906, non-baseball in 1914.[7] Contrast big league, above.

"Kinsley, who does come off as the stereotypical Los Angeles-hating East Coast wonk, said recently that because L.A. is the second biggest city in the country, 'it's really bush league to care about where the writers are from.'"— Catherine Seipp, "Afflict the Comfortable: Chicks on their laptops", The National Review, March 24, 2005

C

• cat bird seat, cat-bird seat or catbird seat — an advantageous or superior position or situation. AHDI alludes to the catbird's habitual high perch.[8] Popularized by sportscaster Red Barber, it first appeared in print in a 1942 short story by James Thurber; Barber is quoted as saying he first heard it during a poker game years before.[9][10].

"Clearly, friends say, he is relishing his sudden ascent from Democratic reject in Connecticut to Senate kingmaker in Washington. 'He is just sitting there in the catbird seat, and it must be delicious for him,' Ms. Collins said." — Mark Leibovich, "Enter, Pariah: Now It’s Hugs for Lieberman", The New York Times, 15 November 2006

• Charley horse — sudden stiffness or cramp in the leg. Of unknown etymology; CDS cites its first use c. 1887 as baseball slang; OED states such cramps occur "especially in baseball players" and cites this usage to 1888[11]

"Tried on more than 1,400 patients for almost two years, it has proved effective for many kinds of pain in the muscles and around joints—charley horse, tennis elbow, stiff neck, torticollis ('wryneck'), whiplash injury, muscular rheumatism, and muscle pain resulting from slipped disks." — "Brave New Soma", Time, 8 June 1959

• cover one's bases; cover all the bases — Ensure safety. In baseball, a player covers a base by standing close to it, ensuring a runner can not reach it safely. Mentioned but not dated by Oxford University Press[12] Also, a G-rated way of saying "CYA".

"Arson investigators sifted through the rubble of an Airdrie Stud barn today, but failed to determine the cause of a fire that killed 15 thoroughbred broodmares and yearlings Saturday night. The horses were worth more than $1 million, according to Brereton Jones, owner of the 3,000-acre stud farm. 'We don't have any reason to believe it was arson, but you just want to be sure you cover all the bases,' he said." — Associated Press, "Fatal Barn Fire Still A Mystery",, The New York Times, 7 January 1985

• curve, curveball, as in "she really threw me a curveball" — A surprise, often completely and totally unexpected. The curveball is a pitch in baseball designed to fool the batter by dropping unexpectedly. AHDI dates this usage to the mid-1900s.[13]

"Because of my personal story, I'm very interested in illness. One thing we discovered as a family is that when you're thrown a curveball like cancer or multiple sclerosis, often people don't know what to do first." Meredith Vieira, quoted by Jeff Chu, '10 Questions for Meredith Vieira', Time, 27 August 2006

D

• drop the ball -- To fail in one's responsibilities, make an error, or miss an opportunity. A reference to fielding, when catching a fly ball is expected to be easy, often resulting in changing of the game's momentum. ADHI dates the general usage to around 1950.[14]

F

• foot in the bucket -- To act timidly or cowardly. A batter who steps away from home plate with his leading foot (usu. in fear of being struck by a pitched ball) instead of a straight-ahead stride is said to "step in the bucket."

G

• get to first base -— To succeed in the initial step of something, such as getting a job interview or asking someone out on a date. Among American youth, it refers to kissing someone on a date. OED cites the first usage in 1938, the latter in 1962.[15] Similarly, to get to second base and to get to third base vaguely refer to more sexual acts, though some people may have very specific definitions of what each term means. Finally, to reach home means to have sex.
• go for extra bases -- to strive for greater results, most commonly with sexual acts.
• go to bat for (someone) — To give assistance to; defend. AHDI dates this usage to the early 1900s, the original meaning to bat as a substitute (see Pinch-hit, below), but transferred to a more general use of helping out one's team.[16]

H

• hardball, play hardball — (Be or act) tough, aggressive. Refers to the comparison between balls in baseball and softball. Baseball is generally considered the more difficult game. As a synonym for baseball, OED dates this use to 1883; its non-baseball use appears in 1973[17]

"Hauser would like to extend its three-year contract with Bristol-Myers, becoming a supplier of the material for semi-synthetic Taxol. 'I think this is just tough bargaining,' said Deborah Wardwell of Dain Bosworth Securities. 'It seems to suggest hardball tactics.'" — Milt Freudenheim, "Bristol-Myers Won't Renew Hauser Pact", The New York Times, 10 January 2007

• hit it out of the park or knock it out of the park — To achieve complete or even a spectacular success; compare home run, below. A home run is automatically scored when a batter strikes the ball with such force as to hit it out of the stadium or playing field.

"11:55 AM: Kerry stumbled over the question of whether God is on America's side. But Edwards hit it out of the park with his anecdote about Abraham Lincoln saying America is on God's side. He is the more nimble debater and conversationalist." — Katherine Q. Seelye, "The Democratic Presidential Debate", The New York Times, 29 February 2004

• home run — A complete success (opposite of strike out); often used in the verb phrase "hit a home run". OED cites this usage to 1965[18]. In a sexual context, it means complete success at having sex, especially with someone desirable.

"HGTV caught on quickly, and is now carried in 90 million homes. The Food Network has been a home run as well, luring viewers interested in cooking." — Geraldine Fabrikant, "Scripps Is in Search of Its Next Food Network", The New York Times, 14 August 2006

I

• "It ain't over 'till it's over!" — A famous quotation from baseball player Yogi Berra[19]; one of many yogiisms. In sports, it means that a game isn't over until time expires, the final out is registered, etc., and that the players need to stay mentally focused until the game is officially over. The term comes into play when a team has a large lead but then starts to let their guard down, especially when there is time left for the losing team to rally (and possibly win the game). The original and self-evident adage, misstated by Berra, is "The game is not over until the last man is out."

"In spite of last winter's nice snowpack and a wet summer, here's the bad news about New Mexico's drought: It ain't over till it's over, and it ain't over." — Staci Matlock, "Experts: No end in sight for New Mexico drought", The New Mexican, October 9, 2005

• "It's deja vu all over again!" — Another famous (attributed) yogiism[20]. It's a redundant way of saying "Here we go again!" It has come into general circulation in the language to describe any situation which seems to be observably repeating itself.

"Kay told CNN he is worried because he's hearing some of the same signals about Iran and its nuclear program that were heard as the Bush administration made its case for the war in Iraq. 'It's deja vu all over again,' Kay said." — David Kay, former U.S. chief weapons inspector (quote), "Kay, Carter urge caution on Iran", CNN.com, February 9, 2005

K

• knock the cover off the ball -- to succeed beyond expectation. Derived from the act of hitting the ball exceptionally hard, so as to make the leather covering come off.

"In the last two quarters, we knocked the cover off the ball...We exceeded analysts expectations on Wall Street and our own guidance in both quarters." — Joel Ronning, CEO Digital River, quoted by Rob Wright, "Digital River Sees Revenue Climb", VarBusiness, 29 January, 2004

L

• left field, as in "that insult really came out of left field" -- Unusual, unexpected, or irrational. AHDI dates this idiom back to the mid-1900s; it also states that the precise allusion is disputed, but a number of theories exist.[21] Rumored to originally describe fans who came to Yankee Stadium to see Babe Ruth (a right fielder) but who bought tickets for the wrong side of the field. Another legend is that the phrase originates from Chicago's old West Side Park which had a mental hospital located behind left field. Visiting players came to refer to something as odd to be 'out in left field.' The flaw in that story is that Cook County Hospital was behind third base, not left field.

"Depp's performance came out of left field in The Curse of the Black Pearl; nobody had ever thought of channeling Keith Richards and Pepé Le Pew before." — Kent Williams, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" (review), Isthmus: The Daily Page, no date.

• Lou Gehrig's disease -- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), named after the famed New York Yankee whose affliction with the fatal disease brought it to national attention.

N

• "Nice guys finish last" -- Attributed to baseball manager Leo Durocher[22] in 1946; according to Durocher's 1975 autobiography, he was misquoted: "Take a look at them. All nice guys. They’ll finish last. Nice guys. Finish last."[23] Sometimes taken to mean that people sometimes fail at something, even when someone is working hard, playing by the rules and success seems well-deserved; or even that such fair play will actually result in the loss. The latter sense is often used as a justification or rationalization for immoral or unfair behavior. This may also refer to the dating world, in which some believe women prefer men who may not treat them as well as a "nice guy."

O

• off base -- Unawares or by surprise, usually in the phrase "caught off base"; OED dates to 1935. Meaning misguided, mistaken, or working on faulty assumptions, this usage dates to 1940. Both these uses derive from the situation of a runner being away from a base and thus in a position to being put out (1872).[24]
• out of left field -- See left field.

P

• pinch-hit — to act as a substitute or stand-in for someone, especially in an emergency. In baseball, sometimes a substitute batter would be brought in, especially at a crucial point in the game. OED gives the first possible non-baseball use in 1931, and the first definitive non-sport use in 1957[25].
• Play ball -- To cooperate. Before every baseball game, the umpire shouts "play ball" in order to start the game.

R

• rain check — a ticket given to a spectator at an outdoor event providing for a refund of his entrance money or admission at a later date, should the event be interrupted by rain; an assurance of a deferred extension of an offer, especially an assurance that a customer can take advantage of a sale later if the item or service offered is not available (as by being sold out); or a (sometimes vague) promise to accept a social offer at an unnamed later date. The latter two meanings derive from the first, which OED states was first used in 1884; its first written entry into non-baseball usage is cited as 1930[26]
• rhubarb — A heated argument or noisy dispute; especially, between players on a playing field. Originally the word traditionally muttered by actors in a play to provide background noise; OED and CDS both credit sportscaster Red Barber with first using the term to describe a disturbance, at a baseball game in 1943; OED's first non-baseball cite is 1949.[27]
• right off the bat — immediately; without any delay. OED dates this term to 1914 in Maclean's, a Canadian magazine. An older term, "hot from the bat" dates to the 1888 play Meisterschaft by Mark Twain.[28]

S

• "Say it ain't so, Joe!" -- An expression of disbelief. A reference to the Black Sox scandal of 1919, when the Chicago White Sox lost the World Series on purpose. When Shoeless Joe Jackson was implicated in the scandal, an apocryphal story says that a young fan approached him and said, "Say it ain't so, Joe!"
• screwball -- Eccentric, zany, or crazy; OED dates this usage to 1933.[29] The screwball is a rarely used pitch (because of its effect on the arm) that is intended to behave erratically -- it "breaks" in the opposite direction a curveball would break. Its most famous users were New York Giants — Carl Hubbell and Christy Mathewson (who called it the "fadeaway" pitch).
• seasoned pro -- one who maintains and progresses skills acquired through experience, a veteran.
• second base/get to second base -- General reference to advancing physical intimacy with a member of the opposite sex. Commonly used in question form ("Did you get to second base?"). A positive reply typically implies that more than kissing has occurred. Outside of a sexual context, this can mean advancing beyond the first step in a given process, such as landing a job interview when one merely expected to schedule one.
• second-guess (v.) — to anticipate the actions of another through guesswork, or outguess; cionversely, to criticize or question actions or decisions of (someone), usually after the results of those actions or decisions are known. Verb back-formed from second-guesser, a spectator who criticizes the actions of a team or the decisions of the umpire;[30] guesser was baseball slang for an umpire, thus such a spectator considered himself a "second umpire". OED dates second-guesser to 1937, second-guess in its predictive sense to 1941, and its critical sense to 1946.[31]
• southpaw -- A left-handed person. Originally, according to OED, it meant the left hand itself (1828), then by extension to a left-handed pitcher (1891), then in non-baseball usage (referring to a cat, 1955); the final transition to a non-athletic left-handed person in general makes its print appearance in 1970.[32] Traditional (though unprovable) explanation of origin: to avoid the sun shining into the eyes of a batter during the afternoon, every ballfield was built with center field aligned east or northeast of home plate. Thus, a right-handed pitcher's throwing hand would throw from the north side of the pitcher's mound, and a left-handed pitcher from the south; accordingly, a left-hander was called a "southpaw".
• step up to the plate, or shortened to step up -- To rise to an occasion in life. Refers to when a player must approach home plate to take a turn at batting. OED cites baseball usage in 1875, general usage in 1919.[33]
• strike, as in "strike out", "three strikes, you're out", "a strike against you", "he was born with two strikes against him", etc. -- In baseball, a strike is when the batter fails to hit a good pitch. A batter with three strikes is out and stops batting. The word strike has crept into common English usage to mean a failure or shortcoming. When a person has "gotten three strikes" and "struck out", they have failed completely. Someone seeking romance with another person may "strike out" and fail to impress on a first meeting. See also A swing and a miss.
• a swing and a miss -- An attempt and subsequent failure. One way to get a strike. See also strike.
• swing for the fences -- to attempt to achieve beyond most reasonable expectations.
• switch-hitter -- Slang for bisexual (OED, 1960). Refers to players who are capable of hitting as a left-handed or right-handed batter (OED, 1948).[34]

T

• three strikes law — from the phrase "Three strikes and you're out"; pertaining to laws passed in the United States that mandates minimum penalties for three convictions for serious criminal offenses ("strikes"). In baseball, a player is retired ("out") from his turn at bat if he gets three strikes.
• touch base, as in "we'll touch base at the meeting" -- To ensure everyone has the same information. In baseball, a player who is touching a base is not in danger of being put out. May also be a military term. Another explanation is that a player briefly touches each of the bases when he runs around after hitting a home run; therefore "touching base" is briefly checking in (this is more similar to the meaning in the above example.).

W

• whole new ball game / brand new ball game ; whole 'nother ball game -- In baseball, an announcer says "it's a whole new ball game" when the trailing team ties the score (usually after the trailing team has been behind by several runs), referring to the fact that both teams are right back to where they started at the beginning of the game. In common usage, a "whole new ball game" or "brand new ball game" signifies a drastic turn of events. A "whole 'nother ball game" signifies something completely unrelated, different, or irrelevant.

References

• Ammer, Christine. The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms. Online. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1997.[35]
• Green, Jonathon (Ed.). Cassell's Dictionary of Slang, New Edition. Cassell, 2000. ISBN 0-304-35167-9
• Mish, Fred (Editor-in-chief). Merriam-Webster OnLine. Merriam-Webster, 2006.[36]
• Simpson, John (Chief Ed.). The Oxford English Dictionary Online. Oxford University Press, 2006.[37]