pitch

*black as a skillet and *black as a stack of black cats; *black as a sweep; *black as coal; *black as night; *black as pitch; *black as the ace of spades

completely dark or black. (*Also: as ~.) I don't want to go down to the cellar. It's as black as a skillet down there. Her hair was black as a stack of black cats. After playing in the mud all morning, the children were as black as night. The stranger's clothes were all black as pitch.

See also: black, skillet

in there pitching

Fig. trying very hard. Bob is always in there pitching. Just stay in there pitching. You'll make some progress eventually.

make a pitch (for someone or something)

Fig. to say something in support of someone or something; to attempt to promote, sell, or advance someone or something. Bill is making a pitch for his friend's new product again. The theatrical agent came in and made a pitch for her client. Every time I turn on the television set, someone is making a pitch.

See also: make

pitch (the) woo

Inf. to kiss and caress; to woo someone. (Old but still heard.) They were out by the barn pitching woo. Old Ted can hardly see any more, but he can still pitch the woo.

See also: woo

pitch someone or something out (of) something and pitch someone or something out

to throw someone or something out of something or some place. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) The usher pitched the drunk out of the theater. The usher pitched out the annoying person.

See also: out

pitch someone or something over something

to toss someone or something over something. Then Max tried to pitch Lefty over the railing onto the tracks. Billy pitched the stone over the wall.

pitch someone a curve(ball)

Fig. to surprise someone with an unexpected act or event. (Referring to a curve-ball in baseball. It is the route of the ball that is curved, not the ball itself. See also throw someone a curve(ball).) You really pitched me a curveball when you said I had done a poor job. I did my best. You asked Tom a trick question. You certainly pitched him a curve.

See also: curve

pitch something at someone or something 

1. to throw something at someone or something. The boys pitched cans at the tree. We all pitched rocks at the big boulder.

2. to aim advertising at a particular group. They pitched the ad campaign at teenagers. These comedy programs are pitched at the lowest level of mentality.

pitch something away

to toss or throw something away. He pitched the broken stick away, and looked around for something stronger. He pitched away the stick.

See also: away

pitch something into something and pitch something in

to toss or throw something into something. Please pitch your aluminum cans into this container. She pitched in the can.

pitch something out

to throw something away; to discard something. This cottage cheese is so old, I'm going to pitch it out. They pitched out the bad food.

See also: out

pitch a tent

to erect a tent at a campsite. The campers pitched their tent in a clearing in the woods. I pitched my tent next to a large oak tree.

pitch black

very black; as black as pitch. The hearse was pitch black. The bandit rode on a pitch black horse and wore black clothing.

See also: black

pitch camp

to set up or arrange a campsite. We pitched camp near the stream. Two campers went ahead of us to pitch camp while it was still light.

See also: camp

pitch dark

very dark; as dark as pitch. I couldn't see anything outside because it was pitch dark. The room was pitch dark, and I couldn't find the light switch!

See also: dark

pitch forward

to jerk or thrust forward. Suddenly the car pitched forward, jerking the passengers around. We pitched forward inside the car as we went over the bumpy road.

See also: forward

pitch in (and help) (with something)

Fig. to join in and help someone with something. Would you please pitch in and help with the party? Come on! Pitch in!

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a pitched battle

an angry fight or argument There was a pitched battle between police and rioters.

See also: battle

fever pitch

if you say that a feeling or a situation has reached fever pitch, you mean that people's emotions have become so strong that they can only just control themselves By the time the princess appeared on the balcony, excitement among the crowd was at fever pitch. Tension reached fever pitch as reports came in of further bomb attacks in the north.

See also: fever

make a pitch for something

to try to persuade people to support you or give you something The union made a pitch for a reduction in working hours.

See queer pitch

See also: make

queer somebody's pitch  (British & Australian)

to spoil someone's chances of doing something She queered my pitch by asking for promotion before I did.

See also: queer

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pitch in

to help with others to get something done As soon as we knew what a big job it was, Gwen and I just pitched in with the rest of the group.