take a rain check — to politely decline an invitation or offer but indicate that you would like to accept it at another time
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to politely decline an invitation or offer but indicate that you would like to accept it at another time
Pronunciation (IPA): /teɪk ə ˈreɪn tʃek/
Example Sentences
- Sorry, I'm too tired for karaoke tonight. Can I take a rain check?
- I'll take a rain check on the horror movie - I need to mentally prepare for three weeks first!
- Thanks for the lunch invitation, but I'll have to take a rain check due to my meeting.
take a rain check
VERB[/teɪk ə ˈreɪn tʃek/]
to politely decline an invitation or offer but indicate that you would like to accept it at another time
When his friend invites him out, he asks to take a rain check because of the storm.
Rain check on the name check, rain check on the game check!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This phrase originated in late 19th-century American baseball stadiums. When rain caused a game to be cancelled, spectators were given a ticket stub called a 'rain check' that could be exchanged for admission to a future game, establishing the metaphorical sense of postponing an activity with the promise to reschedule it.
Breakdown
rain (precipitation) + check (ticket stub or voucher) = a ticket issued when an outdoor event is postponed due to weather, allowing attendance at a rescheduled event.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“Sorry, I'm too tired for karaoke tonight. Can I take a rain check?”
“I'll take a rain check on the horror movie - I need to mentally prepare for three weeks first!”
“Thanks for the lunch invitation, but I'll have to take a rain check due to my meeting.”
“Can I take a rain check on cleaning my room? The weather is too nice to stay indoors!”
📚Related Words
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