Take a raincheck


An offer that is declined now but may be reconsidered later.

I can’t go bowling tonight, I’ve work to finish, but I’ll take a raincheck for next time.

USA, 19th century. A reference to the tickets given at rained-off sports games to allow the customer to return at a later date.

Mostly USA.

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.