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

• 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

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

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

He pinch hit in the ninth and took a called third strike.

From Washington Times • Aug. 10, 2023

It was the first pinch hit for Julien, who was told he was pinch-hitting but didn’t realize it was leading off the inning.

From Washington Times • Jul. 4, 2023

"Well, put a watch mark on your arm, sailor, and put it there pronto, or you'll be needing an understudy to pinch hit for you."

From Biltmore Oswald The Diary of a Hapless Recruit by Dorgan, Dick