Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

pinch-hit

verb, informal

/ˈpɪnʧ hɪt/

Definition

To substitute for someone else, especially in a critical situation.

Examples

When the main speaker fell ill, Sarah had to pinch-hit for him at the conference.
During the busy season, employees often pinch-hit for each other to keep operations running smoothly.

Meaning

The term often comes from baseball, where a player is brought in to bat for another player, but it can also apply to any situation where someone takes over or fills in for someone else’s role or responsibility.