two strikes against

Idioms

Strong factors opposing, as in There are two strikes against her possibility of a promotion. This term comes from baseball, where a batter is allowed three strikes at a fairly pitched ball before being called out; thus, a batter with two strikes has but one more chance to hit a fair ball. The figurative use dates from the early 1900s.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

After starting with a tap-in to level the scores, Vinicius Jr's last two strikes against Dortmund were something special.

From BBC • Oct. 22, 2024

“But Burger hustles down the line and forces a bad throw and then Sheets has a great hit with two strikes against a good pitcher.”

From Washington Times • May 28, 2023

Still the Bucs brought him in, and Coach Bruce Arians made it seem as if the talented but troubled wideout already had two strikes against him.

From Washington Post • Dec. 24, 2021

Hill generated two quick outs and then two strikes against Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt.

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2018

I have neither, which means I started CHS with two strikes against me.

From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023