pinch hit

¹

noun

, Baseball.

1. a hit made by a pinch hitter.

pinch-hit

²

[ pinch-hit ]

verb (used without object)

, pinch-hit, pinch-hit·ting.

1. Baseball. to serve as a pinch hitter.
2. Informal. to substitute for someone, especially in an emergency.

verb (used with object)

, pinch-hit, pinch-hit·ting.

1. Baseball. to get, or make (a hit) in pinch-hitting.

pinch-hit

verb

1. baseball to bat as a substitute for the scheduled batter
2. informal.
   to act as a substitute
3. cricket (of a batsman in a limited-overs match) to bat aggressively at the start of an innings in order to take advantage of fielding restrictions

Derived Forms

• pinch hitter, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pinch hit¹

First recorded in 1910–15

Origin of pinch hit²

1930–35, Americanism; back formation from pinch hitter

Example Sentences

The Mariners did not have a left-handed hitter available on the bench to pinch hit in that situation.

From Seattle Times

The Nats brought in former Mariner Jesse Winker to pinch hit.

From Seattle Times

Servais couldn’t call on Raleigh fast enough to pinch hit for backup catcher Seby Zavala.

From Seattle Times

But when his next turn at the plate came, Josh Rojas pinch hit for him.

From Seattle Times

Current Mariner Mitch Garver was on the Twins roster for that game and pinch hit.

From Seattle Times