pinch-hit

\ ˈpinch-ˈhit

How to pronounce pinch-hit (audio)

, ˌpinch-\

pinch-hit; pinch-hitting; pinch-hits

Definition of pinch-hit

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

Definition of pinch hit (Entry 2 of 2)

: a hit made by a pinch hitter

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Examples of pinch-hit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun But Straburg induced a popout from Correa for a crucial second out, and Astros manager A.J. Hinch tossed rookie Kyle Tucker to pinch hit. — Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, "Nationals crush Astros in Game 2 to take commanding World Series lead," 24 Oct. 2019 All are right-handed batters, and all knew that if the Washington Nationals persisted in their playoff pattern of using starters in relief, they might very well be called upon to pinch hit against $140 million lefty Patrick Corbin. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "7 2-out runs in 6th lift LA past Nats 10-4 for 2-1 NLDS lead," 6 Oct. 2019 Astudillo delivered a big moment of his own when he was called upon to pinch hit with the bases loaded and two outs in the seventh. — Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, "Twins finish wild, fulfilling road trip with win over Red Sox," 5 Sep. 2019 The popular third baseman and one of the team’s final connections to their World Series glory days was sent to the plate to pinch hit in the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres. — Jeff Faraudo, The Mercury News, "Loud cheers but no magic in Pablo Sandoval’s likely last cameo," 1 Sep. 2019 Dickerson dilemma: Alex Dickerson pinch hit in the fifth inning Sunday, after missing 11 consecutive games with discomfort in his right oblique. — Ron Kroichick, SFChronicle.com, "Giants’ Bruce Bochy: Yastrzemski will play all three games at Fenway Park," 15 Sep. 2019 The Big Hit, this time, found White Sox outfielder Jon Jay’s glove; with left-hander Aaron Bummer on the mound, Chad Pinder pinch hit for Robbie Grossman with the bases loaded in the seventh inning. — Shayna Rubin, The Mercury News, "‘I’ve never taken so many fastballs that were in the strike zone’: Athletics run into buzzsaw in Chicago," 10 Aug. 2019 Greg Garcia, who before starting at second base Saturday and Sunday had not done so since July 19, has a four-game hitting streak that includes two pinch hits. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Padres notes: Chris Paddack frustrated with two-strike hits," 5 Aug. 2019 Reggie Jackson hit a 520-foot pinch hit home run off Ellis that clanged off a Tiger Stadium light tower. — Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "Doc: Let's go back to when we put baseball cards in our bicycle tires and MLB was king.," 6 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pinch-hit.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Time Traveler for pinch-hit

The first known use of pinch-hit was in 1911

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