scoring position, in

Idioms

About to succeed, as in The publisher is in scoring position with that instant book about the trial. This term comes from sports, where it signifies being in a spot where scoring is likely. In baseball it refers to a situation in which a runner is on second or third base. The figurative use of the term dates from the second half of the 1900s.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

After that, only one other baserunner even reached scoring position in what was Yamamoto’s fifth start this season of at least seven innings and no more than one run.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 28, 2025

They are one for 25 with runners in scoring position in their two games in St. Louis.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2025

The Phillies team that bashed homers at a record pace against Miami and Atlanta never cashed in back home, finishing 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position in Game 7.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 24, 2023

The Brewers had seven hits and went 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position in their first loss since Aug. 17.

From Washington Times • Aug. 30, 2023

The Brewers had the tying run in scoring position in the ninth.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 17, 2023

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023