meaningful at-bats

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "meaningful at-bats" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of sports, particularly baseball, to refer to situations where a player has a significant or impactful opportunity to hit the ball, often implying that the player is making the most of their chances. Example: "In the last game, he had several meaningful at-bats that contributed to the team's victory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

No meaningful at-bats.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

If Baltimore's starter falters at all in the middle to late innings and is facing a meaningful at-bat, O'Day will tangle with Rodriguez — if he is in the lineup moving forward.

The New York Times - Sports

Cowgill said that he had watched video of his recent at-bats and that it seemed as if he was missing by minuscule, but meaningful, amounts.

The New York Times

Tough at-bats.

The New York Times - Sports

" 'Who needs at-bats?

The New York Times - Sports

Williams had 456 at-bats in 1941.

The New York Times - Sports

"I thought we had good at-bats.

The New York Times - Sports

(He also has the most at-bats).

The New York Times - Sports

"Hitters just need at-bats," Girardi said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Guys had good at-bats," Austin Kearns said.

The New York Times - Sports

Granderson went hitless over eleven at-bats.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a player's overall performance, consider quantifying "meaningful at-bats" with statistics like runs batted in (RBIs), on-base percentage (OBP), or clutch hitting metrics.

Common error

Avoid using "meaningful at-bats" to describe routine or inconsequential plate appearances. The phrase implies a level of significance that should align with the actual game situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meaningful at-bats" functions as a noun phrase, where "meaningful" is an adjective modifying "at-bats". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It typically describes significant opportunities for a batter to impact a baseball game.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "meaningful at-bats" is a common and grammatically correct phrase, primarily used in sports, especially baseball, to describe impactful hitting opportunities. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, with sources mainly from news and media. Alternatives include "impactful plate appearances" or "significant batting opportunities". When writing, ensure the phrase aligns with the actual significance of the game situation. It's essential to not overuse this phrase to describe a routine play but instead save it to describe a player's performance that has a notable impact on the game, like driving runs or advancing runners during crucial moments. Be mindful of the context, sticking with sports commentary and baseball-related discussions for literal interpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consequential at-bats

Synonymous change focusing on the impact and ramification.

impactful plate appearances

Replaces "at-bats" with a synonym, emphasizing the significance of the player's turn to hit.

pivotal plate appearances

Stresses that the player's appearance at the plate is a moment that can greatly affect the game's outcome.

significant batting opportunities

Uses "batting opportunities" to convey the chance to make a meaningful contribution.

significant hitting opportunities

Replaces "batting" with "hitting", emphasizing significance.

game-changing at-bats

Focuses on the potential of the at-bat to alter the outcome of the game.

crucial offensive plays

Shifts focus to the offensive contribution, highlighting critical moments.

critical batting moments

Highlights the importance and timing of the batting opportunity.

high-leverage hitting situations

Emphasizes the pressure and importance of the at-bat.

key offensive chances

Broader term to include different ways to contribute to the offense.

FAQs

How can I use "meaningful at-bats" in a sentence?

You can say, "The team's success hinged on their ability to capitalize on "meaningful at-bats" with runners in scoring position" or "He had several "meaningful at-bats" in the late innings, driving in crucial runs".

What are some alternatives to "meaningful at-bats"?

Consider using alternatives like "impactful plate appearances", "significant batting opportunities", or "game-changing at-bats" depending on the specific context.

What does it mean to have a "meaningful at-bat"?

A "meaningful at-bat" refers to a situation in baseball where a batter has a significant opportunity to influence the game, typically with runners on base or in a critical point of the game. It implies that the batter's performance has the potential to greatly impact the outcome.

Is "meaningful at-bats" specific to baseball?

While primarily used in baseball, the concept of a "meaningful at-bat" can be metaphorically applied to other situations where someone has a critical opportunity to perform or make a difference. However, its literal usage is almost exclusively within the context of baseball.