A non-exhaustive list of expressions that made their way into the lingo, including in non-baseball countries.

List

  • Ballpark estimation (“it’s in the right ballpark”)
  • “Ball hiding”: not sharing all the relevant info
  • “Throwing a curveball”: intentionally causing difficulties
  • “Out of left field”: unexpected
  • “three strikes and you’re out”
  • “Swing and a miss”: failed attempt
  • “Knocking one out of the park”: achieving a great success
  • “Stepping up to the plate” = “going to bat"
  • "touching base"
  • "being off base"
  • "wave ‘em home like a third base coach"
  • "inside baseball"
  • "a whole different ballgame”: something completely different