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• pinch hit
  pinch hit

  noun

  a hit made by a pinch hitter.
• pinch-hit
  pinch-hit

  verb (used without object)

  to serve as a pinch hitter.

pinch hit

¹ American  

noun

Baseball.

1. a hit made by a pinch hitter.

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pinch-hit ² American  

[pinch-hit] / ˈpɪntʃˈhɪt /

verb (used without object)

pinch-hit, pinch-hitting

1. Baseball. to serve as a pinch hitter.

2. Informal. to substitute for someone, especially in an emergency.

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verb (used with object)

pinch-hit, pinch-hitting

1. Baseball. to get, or make (a hit) in pinch-hitting.

pinch-hit British  

verb

1. baseball to bat as a substitute for the scheduled batter

2. informal to act as a substitute

3. cricket (of a batsman in a limited-overs match) to bat aggressively at the start of an innings in order to take advantage of fielding restrictions

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• pinch hitter
  noun

Etymology

Origin of pinch hit¹

First recorded in 1910–15

Origin of pinch-hit²

1930–35, back formation from pinch hitter

Example Sentences

If Scott had thrown a scoreless inning and sent the game into the 10th, Roberts planned to have Ohtani pinch hit for Miguel Rojas, the third batter due up.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

The Mariners did not have a left-handed hitter available on the bench to pinch hit in that situation.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 5, 2024

Toronto third baseman Matt Chapman left in the sixth when Whit Merrifield pinch hit for him.

From Washington Times • Aug. 28, 2023

He was replaced on the mound by Tyler Anderson and Nolan Schanuel came in to pinch hit for him.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 23, 2023

"Here's where I make a pinch hit, then," said the mayor sharply.

From Jimmy Kirkland and the Plot for a Pennant by Fullerton, Hugh S.