Meaning of rain check | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A reissue, at no extra charge, of a ticket for a baseball game or other outdoor event postponed or interrupted because of rain.
2. An agreement to honor a current offer after its normal expiration.
   figuratively
3. A promise or voucher from a merchant to a customer:
   figuratively
4. A (special) price guarantee for a sold-out item or temporarily unavailable service.
   figuratively
5. The promise to make good on any experience that the customer deems unsatisfactory.
   figuratively, uncommon
6. In social interactions, a deferred invitation, or deferred acceptance of an invitation.
   broadly, figuratively

Equivalents

Examples

“With trembling fingers he pulled out his watch⟳. The hands pointed to five minutes to three. A blessed vision came to him of a moist and disappointed crowd receiving rain-checks up at the Polo Grounds.”

“Feel⟳ so bad / Feel⟳ like⟳ a ball game on a rainy day / Yes, I got my rain⟳ check / Shake⟳ my head and walk⟳ away”

“The St. Louis club is the only nine in the league which gives its patrons the right to see⟳ a full game or no pay⟳. In Chicago and other cities, after the first inning is interrupted by rain⟳ the spectators are supposed to have⟳ received their money’s worth. In St. Louis ‘rain⟳ checks’ are issued in such cases.”

“This means that if you go to the store for a half priced $25 turkey, but the turkeys are out, you can get⟳ a rain⟳ check. With the rain⟳ check, when those turkeys arrive⟳ again in a week or so, you will get⟳ half price, even if the sale is over.”

“So if you go to CVS to cash in on the Venus Razor BOGO deal⟳ and you discover⟳ that other shoppers have⟳ beat⟳ you to it and the shelves are empty, instead of pitching a fit, you can kindly ask⟳ a cashier or store manager to give⟳ you a rain⟳ check. That way, you can return⟳ at your leisure and still get⟳ the deal⟳ while others are back to paying full price.”

“[Regarding visiting the Indianapolis, Indiana, chapter of the fraternity Kappa Sigma] […] if in any respect⟳ the affair does not suit⟳ you—call⟳ at the box office and you’ll get⟳ your money back or get⟳ a rain⟳ check, just as you please⟳.”

“I can't go with you to the museum this Saturday, but can I take⟳ a rain⟳ check and go some other day?”

“I'm on my way somewhere. I got a dinner engagement. Rain⟳ check?”

“When a sudden rainstorm interrupts your plans for a date⟳, you have⟳ some choices: (a) brave the weather, (b) choose⟳ an equally fun indoor activity, (c) straight up refuse⟳ to leave⟳ the house and instead stay⟳ in together, or (d) be that person who asks for a last-minute raincheck (don’t be that person).”

CEFR level