at bat
Having one's turn or chance to do something. Originates from baseball, referring to the player whose turn it is to try to hit the ball. Primarily heard in US. OK, we've heard from the editorial and marketing staff. Ms. Smith, you and the financial department are at bat. You're at bat now, Steffy. Let's hear your side of the story. Who's at bat first? Hopefully, not me because my report is still printing!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
at bat
Taking one's turn. For example,
At this conference, with so many interruptions, it's hard to tell which speaker is at bat , or
I was nervous while waiting to testify, but once at bat I felt better. This idiom, from baseball, was already being transferred to other enterprises by the 1880s. Also see
on deck.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
at bat
Sports Taking one's turn to bat, as in baseball or cricket.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.