pitched away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pitched away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been thrown or directed away from a particular point or location. Example: "He pitched away the old baseball glove after buying a new one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The emphasis is always pitched away from the execution itself.

The New York Times - Magazine

The sky crane then pitched away and crashed far from Curiosity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Pitched away from the heart of the city, it is a quiet, flower-filled haven.

The Guardian - Travel

But on this trip, he was pitched away and responded with several hits to left-center.

The New York Times - Sports

Chamberlain behaved himself, pitched away from Youkilis and needed four double plays to scuffle through five and a third innings.

The New York Times - Sports

Third, Hollywood was indisputably populist in tone, not merely commercial in its origins but expressly pitched away from the world of high art.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"Pitch away, Mr. Thomas," he called out.

The New York Times - Travel

"Pitchers feel they can pitch away again now," Baylor said.

The New York Times - Sports

"At Yankee Stadium, we'd pitch away from him.

The New York Times - Sports

When he tries to pitch away from contact, things don't really go the way he wants them to".

The New York Times - Sports

"Everybody in the National League knows he wants to pull everything, so they pitch away and away and he swings.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pitched away" when you want to emphasize a deliberate action of moving something out of the way, either physically or strategically. For example, in baseball, a pitcher might "pitch away" from a strong hitter to avoid giving them a good shot at a home run.

Common error

Avoid using "pitched away" in contexts where a simple "threw away" or "discarded" would suffice. The phrase often implies a more strategic or intentional action than mere disposal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pitched away" primarily functions as a phrasal verb. It describes the action of intentionally directing something away from a specific point or avoiding direct engagement. Ludwig AI provides examples showing usage in baseball, emphasizing strategic ball placement away from the hitter's power zone.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sports

35%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pitched away" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, conveying a deliberate action of directing something away, often strategically. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in sports contexts, specifically baseball, and notes its broader application in describing avoidance or displacement. While grammatically sound, as per Ludwig AI's analysis, its register varies from neutral in sports to informal in general use. Although "pitched away" isn't extremely common, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, indicating its acceptance in standard English. Related phrases such as "threw away" and "directed away" offer similar but nuanced alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

threw away

Focuses on the physical action of discarding something by throwing it.

directed away

Emphasizes the act of intentionally guiding something in a different direction.

steered clear of

Implies avoidance of something or someone.

kept away from

Suggests maintaining a distance from something, often for safety or strategic reasons.

angled away

Describes a specific direction or angle of divergence.

diverted

Highlights the act of changing the course or direction of something.

deflected

Implies causing something to bounce off or change direction upon impact.

veered off

Suggests a sudden change in direction, often unintentionally.

moved aside

Focuses on physical displacement to create space or avoid something.

shunted aside

Implies a forceful or abrupt movement to remove something from its position.

FAQs

How is "pitched away" used in baseball?

In baseball, a pitcher might "pitch away" to intentionally throw the ball outside the hitter's sweet spot, making it harder to hit powerfully. This is a strategic decision to minimize the risk of a home run.

What does "pitched away" mean in a general, non-sports context?

Outside of sports, "pitched away" can describe the act of directing something, like an argument or discussion, away from a central point or contentious issue, similar to "deflected" or "diverted".

Which is the difference between "pitched away" and "thrown away"?

"Thrown away" generally refers to discarding something unwanted. "Pitched away" can mean discarded, but also implies directing something away, often with a specific purpose or strategy, unlike simply "threw away" which is more generic.

Can "pitched away" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "pitched away" can be used metaphorically to describe avoiding a topic or responsibility, similar to how one might "steer clear of" something. For instance, "He pitched away the difficult questions during the meeting."