pinch hitter

noun

1. Baseball.,  a substitute who bats for a teammate, often at a critical moment of the game.

2. any substitute for another, especially in an emergency.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pinch hitter¹

An Americanism dating back to 1910–15

Idioms and Phrases

A substitute for another person, especially in an emergency. For example, Pat expected her mother to help with the baby, but just in case, she lined up her mother-in-law as pinch hitter. This expression comes from baseball, where it is used for a player substituting for another at bat at a critical point or in a tight situation (called a pinch since the late 1400s). [Late 1800s]

Example Sentences

Six months after his last at-bat — he struck out as a pinch hitter in the final week of the 1986 season — Russell was back in uniform as the team’s bench coach.

From Los Angeles Times

Miguel Rojas, an infielder, was deployed as a pinch hitter in the top of the eighth inning and remained in the game at shortstop.

From Los Angeles Times

And in true fashion, Angels World Series MVP Troy Glaus made a surprise cameo as a pinch hitter.

From Los Angeles Times

“Like a pinch hitter or an assassin, he comes in and just perfectly executes the assignment of every scene.”

From Los Angeles Times

He fanned pinch hitter Junior Caminero, Tampa Bay’s top minor league prospect, to end his outing with five strikeouts and no walks.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• backup 
• designated hitter 
• replacement