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squeeze play

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noun
Baseball.
  1. Also called suicide squeeze, suicide squeeze play. a play executed when there is a runner on third base and usually not more than one out, in which the runner starts for home as soon as the pitcher makes a motion to pitch, and the batter bunts.
  2. Also called safety squeeze, safety squeeze play. a similar play in which the runner on third base waits until the batter has successfully bunted before trying to score.
the application of pressure or influence on a person or group in order to force compliance or gain an advantage.
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Also called squeeze.

Origin of squeeze play

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05

Words nearby squeeze play

squeeze, squeeze bottle, squeezebox, squeezed joint, squeeze off, squeeze play, squeeze through, squeezy, squeg, squelch, squeteague
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to squeeze play

pickoff

How to use squeeze play in a sentence

  • Fearing an attempted squeeze play, Eliot signaled for Rod to keep the ball high and close on Cline.

    Rival Pitchers of Oakdale|Morgan Scott

  • The squeeze play, the delayed steal, the sacrifice hit are all modern inventions.

    Baseball Joe on the Giants|Lester Chadwick

Other Idioms and Phrases with squeeze play

squeeze play

A situation in which pressure exerted to obtain a concession or achieve a goal, as in Workers sometimes feel caught in a squeeze play between union and management. This expression, dating from about 1900, originated in baseball, where it refers to a prearranged play in which the runner on third base breaks for home plate on the pitch, and the batter bunts. [c. 1915]

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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