Rain check

Meaning

The idiom "rain check" is used to refer to a temporary postponement or suspension of something, often due to unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather. It can also be used to indicate that someone has agreed to continue doing something at a later time. The figurative meaning of the idiom suggests that just like a check on a rainy day needs to be put on hold, certain plans or activities need to be delayed until conditions improve.

Usage

• "I had planned to go for a run this morning, but it started raining, so I decided to call off my plans and wait for the weather to clear up."
• "The company has put on hold its decision to lay off workers due to the economic downturn caused by the pandemic. They are waiting for more information before making any final decisions."
• "We were supposed to have a family reunion last weekend, but due to the sudden illness of one of our relatives, we had to postpone it until next year."
• "I was really looking forward to going to the beach today, but the forecast predicted heavy rain, so I decided to call off my plans and stay home instead."
• "The construction of the new hospital has been put on hold due to budget constraints and ongoing debates over the funding of healthcare in our region."

Roots and History

The origin of the idiom "rain check" can be traced back to the early 20th century in the United States. It was originally used in the context of checking bank accounts during rainy days when it was difficult to go outside. The phrase was later used to refer to postponing or suspending certain activities due to bad weather. Over time, the idiom has taken on a broader meaning and is now commonly used to refer to any plans or activities that need to be put on hold.

Synonyms in English

• Postpone
• Suspend
• Defer
• Hold off
• Reschedule

Synonyms in other languages

• haltar (Spanish) - meaning "to stop"
• hörer auf (German) - meaning "to interrupt"
• arrêter (French) - meaning "to halt"
• stavao (Serbian) - meaning "stopped"
• удержать (Russian) - meaning "to restrain"

Similar Idioms

• red zone

• red-handed

• turn out