What does the idiomatic expression “Rain Check” mean? The idiom “rain check” is a popular idiom used today as a part of everyday conversation. Here you will find the meaning of this phrase and also the story behind its beginnings. This will be followed by some examples of how to use the phrase properly in everyday conversations/statements and some other ways to say the same thing using a more literal expression.
Rain Check
Rain Check Meaning
The meaning of the idiomatic phrase “rain check” means postponing a proposal or suggestion of some sort until another date and time in the future.
Origin of this idiom
The idiom “rain check” became widely used in America sometimes in the 1800s. The phrase originated from the game of baseball. When it would rain during a baseball game, fans attending the game were given a voucher called a raincheck. This voucher entitled them to come back on a different day in the future to see another game in place of the one that had been canceled or postponed due to inclement weather.
“Rain Check” Examples
Examples in Statements
A statement made by a local reporter in the paper regarding a recent political campaign.
- “During the debates, Mr. Johnson stated that he would much rather take a rain check when asked to respond to certain questions that proved difficult for him to answer.”
A statement made in a local advertisement for a store.
- “If we don’t have the item available in stock, we will grant you a rain check for the sales price of the item to pick it up at a later date.”
Examples in Conversations
A conversation between a boy asking a girl out on a date.
- Boy: Hey, what are you doing this Friday night? I was wondering if you wanted to go to dinner with me and then maybe we could catch a movie afterward.
- Girl: I can’t on Friday. I am swamped.
- Boy: (looking rejected) Oh, okay.
- Girl: (smiling) Rain check? I’m free next Friday.
- Boy: (smiling) Yes! That sounds awesome!
A conversation between two co-workers.
- Co-worker 1: Hey, Edith, would you like to go to lunch with me today?
- Co-workers 2: I would love to, but I am swamped today and need to work through lunch. Rain check for tomorrow?
- Co-worker 1: Sounds great! Good luck!
Other examples:
- Sorry, I m busy. Could I have a rain check?
- Thanks, but I think I’d better take a rain check.
- Can I have a rain check on your invitation?
- I guess I’ll have to take a rain check on that.
- I’d love to. But I have a date tonight. Can I take a rain check?
Other Ways to Say “Rain Check”
Literal ways to say the same thing for this idiom include: maybe later, let’s do it next week instead or maybe we should wait and do it at a later date.
“Rain Check” synonyms list:
- Another time
- Other time
- Next time
- Another day
- Later
- At a later time
- Delay
- Wait
- Rescheduled
Rain Check Meaning | Picture
Last Updated on March 18, 2020