pinch-hit

1 of 2

verb

ˈpinch-ˈhit 

ˌpinch-

pinch-hit; pinch-hitting; pinch-hits

intransitive verb

1

: to act or serve in place of another

2

: to bat in the place of another player especially when a hit is particularly needed

pinch hit

2 of 2

noun

: a hit made by a pinch hitter

Synonyms

Verb

• cover
• fill in
• stand in
• step in
• sub
• substitute
• take over

Examples of pinch-hit in a Sentence

Verb

assigned to pinch-hit as a math teacher for the remainder of the semester

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Noel, perhaps the most anonymous of Cleveland’s unsung personnel, stepped up to pinch-hit. —Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2024

Light-hitting catcher Austin Hedges, in the game because Vogt had pinch-hit for Bo Naylor an inning earlier, promptly struck out. —Dan Freedman, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024

Noun

Manager Stephen Vogt elected to pinch hit David Fry for catcher Bo Naylor with the tying runs on base. —Dan Freedman, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024

Even after two fine seasons in a row, some scouts say his future appears to be as a utility infielder, one who can pinch hit or pinch run in certain situations and fill in at multiple positions when a regular is hurt or needs a rest. —Chuck Murr, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

back-formation from pinch hitter

First Known Use

Verb

1911, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1927, in the meaning defined above