squeeze play

noun

1. Baseball.
   1. 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, 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of squeeze play¹

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

In the ninth, the Dodgers put on a squeeze play with runners on the corners and no outs, tying the score when Chris Taylor’s bunt got away from Mets reliever Adam Ottavino.

From Los Angeles Times

You might call it a squeeze play: Schiff wanted to keep his two closest Democratic competitors out of the fall race, and he succeeded.

From Los Angeles Times

Then Kevin Smith brought in another run on a successful squeeze play.

From Washington Post

Douglas Hodo II had an RBI single, and the Longhorns scored on a squeeze play and wild pitch.

From Seattle Times

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