15 baseball idioms
Americans, as you may well know, love their baseball. No wonder so many baseball idioms have become so popular in everyday language. Here are some baseball idioms that are used in everyday speech and have nothing to do with baseball itself!
Touch base
To make contact with someone, usually briefly, to discuss something.
Out of left field
Something unexpected or unusual that comes suddenly.
Cover all the bases
To consider, prepare for, or deal with all possibilities or aspects of a situation.
Step up to the plate
To take responsibility or take action in a situation.
In the ballpark
Within an approximate range; not exact, but close.
Swing for the fences
To attempt or try very hard to achieve something significant.
Hit a home run
To be very successful in a particular activity or area.
Striking out
To fail at something after making an effort.
Play hardball
To act aggressively or ruthlessly to achieve a goal.
Throw a curveball
To surprise someone with something that is difficult or unpleasant to deal with.
Three strikes, you’re out
A rule from baseball applied metaphorically to mean that three failures mean you can’t participate any more.
Play ball
To start an activity, often used when beginning negotiations.
Off base
Wrong or mistaken; not making a correct decision or misunderstanding something.
The big league
Often used to describe important situations.
Benchwarmer
A player who does not play frequently, usually sitting on the bench; metaphorically, a person who is not very active in or critical to a group’s action.
If you enjoyed reading about baseball idioms, you might also like our collection of Olympic idioms!
