two strikes against

Idioms  

1. 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.

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Example Sentences

The 32-year-old, whose two strikes against Croatia saw him equal Gary Lineker's record of 10 World Cup goals, says he is enjoying the "freshness" of Tuchel's squad.

From BBC • Jun. 19, 2026

“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

“He had two strikes against him already,” said Celine Gounder, an infectious-diseases specialist who was on President Biden’s covid advisory board during the transition, referring to Powell’s age and medical condition.

From Washington Post • Oct. 19, 2021

“They are going to have to bring some compelling evidence or else it will be like batting against the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw when you have two strikes against you.”

From Seattle Times • Mar. 15, 2018

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

From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson