27 Baseball Idioms + Quiz


Baseball idioms have become ingrained in everyday conversation, offering colorful expressions that reflect the spirit of the game.

In this article, we’ll explore some popular idioms used in baseball, providing their meanings and using them in sentences to help you hit a home run with your language skills.

idioms for baseball

What is an idiom for baseball?

An idiom is a phrase or expression that has a meaning different from the literal interpretation of its individual words.

Baseball idioms often draw inspiration from the game, its rules, and the experiences of players on the field.


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Created by Dr. Julia Rossi

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1 / 20

What is a simile?

2 / 20

Identify the simile in the following sentence: “She swims like a fish.”

3 / 20

What is a metaphor?

4 / 20

Which of the following is a metaphor?

5 / 20

What is an idiom?

6 / 20

What does the idiom “break the ice” mean?

7 / 20

What is an adjective?

8 / 20

Choose the adjective in the following sentence: “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.”

9 / 20

What is an abbreviation?

10 / 20

What does the abbreviation “e.g.” stand for?

11 / 20

What is a verb?

12 / 20

Identify the verb in the following sentence: “The cat sleeps on the sofa.”

13 / 20

“Out of the frying pan into the fire” is an example of:

14 / 20

Which of the following is an adjective?

15 / 20

The abbreviation “NASA” stands for:

16 / 20

Choose the metaphor in the following sentence: “Time is a thief.”

17 / 20

What does the idiom “hit the books” mean?

18 / 20

Which of the following sentences contains a simile?

19 / 20

“LOL” is an abbreviation for:

20 / 20

Identify the verb in this sentence: “They whispered secrets into the night.”

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IdiomMeaningIn a Sentence
Hit it out of the parkAchieve great success or surpass expectationsSarah hit it out of the park with her presentation.
Cover all the basesAddress all aspects of a situation or be thoroughBefore making a decision, it’s essential to cover all the bases.
Throw a curveballIntroduce a surprising or unexpected elementThe sudden change in weather really threw a curveball into our weekend plans.
Touch baseMake contact or connect with someoneLet’s touch base next week to discuss the project’s progress.
Play hardballBe aggressive or uncompromising in negotiations or competitionDuring the business meeting, they decided to play hardball to secure a better deal.
Strike outFail or be unsuccessfulUnfortunately, my attempt to fix the computer issue completely struck out.
On deckNext in line or ready for actionWith the team captain injured, Emily is on deck to lead the squad.
Out of left fieldUnexpected or surprisingThe sudden announcement about the office relocation came out of left field for the employees.
In the ballparkIn the right range or approximately correctYour estimate for the project cost is in the ballpark, but we need to fine-tune the details.
Step up to the plateTake on a challenge or responsibilityIt’s time for everyone to step up to the plate and contribute to the charity event.
Grand slamHighly successful achievement or actionCompleting the project ahead of schedule was a grand slam for the entire team.
Batting a thousandAchieving perfection or success in every attemptShe’s been batting a thousand with her innovative marketing strategies.
BenchwarmerPlayer who rarely participates in the gameUnfortunately, Jack spent most of the season as a benchwarmer.
Three strikes and you’re outFinal chance before facing consequencesThis is your third warning; remember, three strikes and you’re out.
Caught in a rundownTrapped or in a difficult situation with no escapeThe company found itself caught in a rundown after the unexpected market changes.
Curveball in lifeUnexpected challenge or obstacleLosing my job was a real curveball in life, but I’m determined to overcome it.
A whole new ball gameCompletely different situation or challengeMoving to a new city for college is a whole new ball game for Emily.
Play ballLet’s get started or begin the activityThe teacher shouted, “Play ball!” as the students started their science experiment.
Swing for the fencesAim for the highest possible success or achievementWhen setting goals, always swing for the fences and strive for excellence.
Hit a home runAchieve a significant successThe team hit a home run with their new product launch, receiving rave reviews.
Change-upSudden change or shift in strategyThe manager decided to throw a change-up in the marketing campaign to attract a new audience.
KnuckleballSomething unpredictable or difficult to handleDealing with the unpredictable weather during the event was like facing a knuckleball.
Behind in the countIn a disadvantageous or losing positionBeing behind in the count, the team needed a strong comeback in the second half.
FastballQuick, straightforward, or directTo solve the issue, they decided to take a fastball approach and address it immediately.
Out of the parkExceptional or outstandingHer performance in the play was out of the park; the audience couldn’t stop applauding.
In the dugoutNot actively involved or participatingWhile the project was ongoing, I felt like I was sitting in the dugout, waiting for my turn to contribute.
Take a swing atAttempt or try somethingGo ahead, take a swing at solving the puzzle before I reveal the answer.

Metaphors can describe baseball in various ways, like comparing it to a strategic battle on a grassy field. To explore more metaphors for baseball, you can visit this link: Metaphors for Baseball. Similarly, similes offer comparisons that make baseball more relatable, such as saying it’s as unpredictable as a game of chance. Discover additional similes for baseball here: Similes for Baseball.

Baseball Idioms

1. Hit it out of the park

Meaning: To achieve great success or surpass expectations.

In a Sentence: Sarah hit it out of the park with her presentation, impressing everyone in the room.

2. Cover all the bases

Meaning: To address all aspects of a situation or be thorough.

In a Sentence: Before making a decision, it’s essential to cover all the bases and consider every option.

3. Throw a curveball

Meaning: To introduce a surprising or unexpected element.

In a Sentence: The sudden change in weather really threw a curveball into our weekend plans.

4. Touch base

Meaning: To make contact or connect with someone.

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

5. Play hardball

Meaning: To be aggressive or uncompromising in negotiations or competition.

In a Sentence: During the business meeting, they decided to play hardball to secure a better deal.

6. Strikeout

Meaning: To fail or be unsuccessful.

In a Sentence: Unfortunately, my attempt to fix the computer issue completely struck out.

7. On deck

Meaning: Next in line or ready for action.

In a Sentence: With the team captain injured, Emily is on deck to lead the squad.

8. Out of left field

Meaning: Unexpected or surprising.

In a Sentence: The sudden announcement about the office relocation came out of left field for the employees.

9. In the ballpark

Meaning: In the right range or approximately correct.

In a Sentence: Your estimate for the project cost is in the ballpark, but we need to fine-tune the details.

10. Step up to the plate

Meaning: To take on a challenge or responsibility.

In a Sentence: It’s time for everyone to step up to the plate and contribute to the charity event.

11. Grand slam

Meaning: A highly successful achievement or action.

In a Sentence: Completing the project ahead of schedule was a grand slam for the entire team.

12. Batting a thousand

Meaning: Achieving perfection or success in every attempt.

In a Sentence: She’s been batting a thousand with her innovative marketing strategies.

13. Benchwarmer

Meaning: A player who rarely participates in the game.

In a Sentence: Unfortunately, Jack spent most of the season as a benchwarmer.

14. Three strikes and you’re out

Meaning: A final chance before facing consequences.

In a Sentence: This is your third warning; remember, three strikes and you’re out.

15. Caught in a rundown

Meaning: Trapped or in a difficult situation with no escape.

In a Sentence: The company found itself caught in a rundown after the unexpected market changes.

16. Curveball in life

Meaning: An unexpected challenge or obstacle.

In a Sentence: Losing my job was a real curveball in life, but I’m determined to overcome it.

17. A whole new ball game

Meaning: A completely different situation or challenge.

In a Sentence: Moving to a new city for college is a whole new ball game for Emily.

18. Play ball

Meaning: Let’s get started or begin the activity.

In a Sentence: The teacher shouted, “Play ball!” as the students started their science experiment.

19. Swing for the fences

Meaning: Aim for the highest possible success or achievement.

In a Sentence: When setting goals, always swing for the fences and strive for excellence.

20. Hit a home run

Meaning: To achieve a significant success.

In a Sentence: The team hit a home run with their new product launch, receiving rave reviews.

21. Change-up

Meaning: A sudden change or shift in strategy.

In a Sentence: The manager decided to throw a change-up in the marketing campaign to attract a new audience.

22. Knuckleball

Meaning: Something unpredictable or difficult to handle.

In a Sentence: Dealing with the unpredictable weather during the event was like facing a knuckleball.

23. Behind in the count

Meaning: In a disadvantageous or losing position.

In a Sentence: Being behind in the count, the team needed a strong comeback in the second half.

24. Fastball

Meaning: Something that is quick, straightforward, or direct.

In a Sentence: To solve the issue, they decided to take a fastball approach and address it immediately.

25. Out of the park

Meaning: Exceptional or outstanding.

In a Sentence: Her performance in the play was out of the park; the audience couldn’t stop applauding.

26. In the dugout

Meaning: Not actively involved or participating.

In a Sentence: While the project was ongoing, I felt like I was sitting in the dugout, waiting for my turn to contribute.

27. Take a swing at

Meaning: To attempt or try something.

In a Sentence: Go ahead, take a swing at solving the puzzle before I reveal the answer.

10 Quizzes About The Idiom in The Article

Quiz 1:

Question 1: What does the idiom “Hit it out of the park” mean?

a) Fail miserably
b) Achieve great success
c) Play a game of baseball
d) Reach a compromise


Quiz 2:

Question 2: When someone says, “Cover all the bases,” what are they suggesting?

a) Ignore important details
b) Be thorough and consider all aspects
c) Focus only on the main points
d) Avoid making a decision


Quiz 3:

Question 3: In the context of baseball idioms, what does it mean to “Throw a curveball”?

a) Make a simple decision
b) Introduce a surprising or unexpected element
c) Play a fair game
d) Ignore the rules


Quiz 4:

Question 4: If someone suggests, “Let’s touch base,” what are they proposing?

a) Avoid communication
b) Make contact or connect
c) Play a round of baseball
d) Skip the meeting


Quiz 5:

Question 5: What does it mean to “Play hardball” in negotiations or competition?

a) Take it easy and compromise
b) Be aggressive and uncompromising
c) Follow the rules strictly
d) Play a friendly game


Quiz 6:

Question 6: If a plan or attempt “Strikes out,” what does that imply?

a) It’s a huge success
b) It’s a complete failure
c) It’s average
d) It needs improvement


Quiz 7:

Question 7: In baseball terminology, who is considered “On deck”?

a) The pitcher
b) The team captain
c) The next in line to bat
d) The umpire


Quiz 8:

Question 8: What does the expression “Out of left field” mean?

a) Predictable and expected
b) Unexpected or surprising
c) Coming from the right direction
d) Playing defensively


Quiz 9:

Question 9: When something is “In the ballpark,” what does that suggest?

a) Completely accurate
b) Approximately correct or in the right range
c) Out of reach
d) Not relevant


Quiz 10:

Question 10: If someone encourages you to “Step up to the plate,” what are they asking you to do?

a) Take a break
b) Retreat from a challenge
c) Take on a challenge or responsibility
d) Ignore the situation


Conclusion

Baseball idioms add a playful and relatable dimension to our language, making communication more colorful and engaging.

Whether you’re covering all the bases in a project or trying to hit it out of the park with a presentation, these idioms are a fun way to express yourself.

Cite this entry:

Phrasesdirectory.com. “,” Retrieved from Phrases Directory – Accessed

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