squeeze play

American  

noun

1. Baseball.

   1. Also called suicide squeeze play.  Also called suicide squeeze.  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 play.  Also called safety squeeze.  a similar play in which the runner on third base waits until the batter has successfully bunted before trying to score.

2. the application of pressure or influence on a person or group in order to force compliance or gain an advantage.

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squeeze play Idioms  

1. 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]

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Etymology

Origin of squeeze play

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05

Example Sentences

The New York Times criticized Mitchell for “an ugly squeeze play by the administration to force Fortas off the bench,” but it did nothing to deter his efforts.

From Slate • Feb. 1, 2023

Rangers reliever Dennis Santana made a heads-up defensive play to prevent the A’s from pulling off a squeeze play in the fifth.

From Seattle Times • May 29, 2022

Hoyer also withstood a potential squeeze play from Pelosi, and, to some degree Clyburn, for the whip position when Democrats lost the majority in the fall of 2010.

From Fox News • Nov. 1, 2018

With runners at the corners, Barnes tried another squeeze play.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 8, 2018

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

From Rival Pitchers of Oakdale by Scott, Morgan