pinch-hit

1 of 2

verb

ˈpinch-ˈhit 

ˌpinch-

pinch-hit; pinch-hitting; pinch-hits

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

2 of 2

noun

: a hit made by a pinch hitter

Synonyms of pinch-hit

Verb

• substitute

Examples of pinch-hit in a Sentence

Verb

assigned to pinch-hit as a math teacher for the remainder of the semester

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Then Cash made another surprising move by leaving Vilade in to hit against Gaddis rather than pinch-hitting lefty Jake Fraley, and that also paid off when Vilade delivered an RBI single up the middle. —Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026

The issue came up after Suzuki sent Moncada up to pinch-hit for Oswald Peraza on Friday night. —Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026

Noun

Coulombe struck out Austin Wells for the second out, but from there Cora gave the ball to righty Greg Weissert, who allowed the go-ahead two-run pinch hit single to Cody Bellinger and then another RBI single to Judge to put New York ahead 4-2. —Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026

He and his team were essentially asked to pinch hit in the Live Nation trial after the Department of Justice unexpectedly settled with the company in early March. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

back-formation from pinch hitter

First Known Use

Verb

1911, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1927, in the meaning defined above