take a rain check

take a rain check
Digest 16/2002
(smb) - to accept a different time for an appointment from the original one; to request that an appointment be rescheduled

Thanks for asking me to have lunch with you today. Unfortunately, I'm busy. Can I take a rain check? I'm free for lunch almost any day next week.

The expression originates from baseball and other outdoor sporting events, in which rain checks are given if the game is canceled because of rain. The rain check entitles the spectator to see another game on another day free of charge.

Idioms and examples. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • take a rain check — ► take a rain check politely refuse an offer, with the implication that one may take it up later. Main Entry: ↑rain check …   English terms dictionary

  • take a rain check —    To say that you take a rain check means that you cannot accept an invitation or offer now, but you will be happy to accept it later.     Do you mind if I take a rain check on that lunch invitation? I m going to be away all week …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • take a rain check — said when politely refusing an offer, with the implication that one may accept it at a later date I can’t make it tonight, but I’d like to take a rain check …   Useful english dictionary

  • take a rain check (on something) — spoken phrase used for saying that you are not going to accept an offer or suggestion immediately, but you may accept it later Can I take a rain check on that? Thesaurus: to delay action, wait or hesitatesynonym Main entry: rain check * * * …   Useful english dictionary

  • take a rain check — refuse an offer, with the implication that one may take it up at a later date. → rain check …   English new terms dictionary

  • I'll take a rain check — American, British & Australian, informal, American, informal something that you say when you cannot accept someone s invitation to do something but you would like to do it another time. I ll take a rain check on that drink tonight, if that s all… …   New idioms dictionary

  • rain check — rain checks 1) PHRASE: PHR after v If you say you will take a rain check on an offer or suggestion, you mean that you do not want to accept it now, but you might accept it at another time. I was planning to ask you in for a brandy, but if you… …   English dictionary

  • rain check — rain ,check noun count AMERICAN a piece of paper you can use to buy something later that is not available at the moment a. a ticket for a sports game that you can use again if rain stops the game b. take a rain check (on something) SPOKEN used… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • rain check — ► NOUN N. Amer. ▪ a ticket given for later use when an outdoor event is interrupted or postponed by rain. ● take a rain check Cf. ↑take a rain check …   English terms dictionary

  • rain check — n 1.) take a rain check (on sth) informal especially AmE used to say that you will do something in the future but not now ▪ Care for a drink? I ll take a rain check, thanks. 2.) AmE a ticket for an outdoor event, such as a sports game, that you… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”