two strikes against

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.

Example Sentences

In an inning that saw Scott blow a three-run Dodgers lead — forcing the team into a 13-inning marathon that, despite eventually winning, their overworked bullpen could ill-afford — Scott got to two strikes against a Mets batter, only to leave a mistake pitch over the plate.

From Los Angeles Times

In the first inning, May had two strikes against Riley before throwing a sweeper up and over the plate.

From Los Angeles Times

The remaining work and the fact that the home is part of a community devastated by the Palisades fire might seem like two strikes against it.

From Los Angeles Times

Edward Simmer, the state’s interim public health director, said that if “you are African American in a rural zone, it is like having two strikes against you.”

From Salon

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

From BBC