I’ll take a sun check? I’ll take a snow check? I’ll take wind check? What if someone were to tell you: “Can I take a rain check?” What would you think?
In context what would you think they mean? In a literal context, it doesn’t make sense. Take a rain check, is a common phrase we use in English when we can’t do something and want to arrange another time or opportunity.
Meaning:
“Take a rain check”is an expression we use in English to decline or refuse an offer or invitation, but you would still like to do the event or activity later. When you are told or if someone tells you I’ll take a rain check” you are basically saying it is not possible but would if another opportunity occurred. This idiomatic expression originates from baseball. If a baseball game is cancelled because there is too much rain, the fans/spectators would be given the opportunity to see the rescheduled game or another game by showing their original ticket when the game was cancelled.
Example of “Take a Rain Check”:
- Barry was too busy to come to the party, he asked if he could take a rain check. I told him no problem!
- I am sorry sir, but the event is all sold out. However, I can offer you a rain check for the next event and give you a 10% discount.
Dialog:
Freda: Hi Bill, this Freda calling. How are you today?
Bill: Freda? Sorry I am not sure I remember. Have we met?
Freda: Yes, we met at a networking event in Las Vegas last year. Shannon from your office introduced me to you. I am from Rain Environmental.
Bill: Ohh of course! I am so sorry. How are you? Did you get home OK in the storm?
Freda: Yes, but our flight was delayed because of the rain storm. The reason I am calling you is to follow up on the event I was telling you about.
Bill: OK. Yes, I remember you telling me about an event in San Francisco? In December?
Freda: Yes, in December. I wanted to let you know that we have finalized a date and would like to personally invite you.
Bill: Freda, that is kind of you. May I ask, the exact date of the networking event is? December at work and at home can be a little hectic.
Freda: We have confirmed a date for December 20th& 22.
Bill: Freda, I am sorry but I see I am already booked for a meeting with shareholders and on the 22nd of December is my son’s Christmas recital.
Freda: That is really a shame. I wish I could have confirmed with you earlier.
Bill: Can I take a rain check? I would love to attend the next one you have.
Freda: Absolutely, you can have rain check. I will let you know about the next and give you more notice next time.
Bill: Thanks for your understanding and for the rain check.
Freda: Your welcome, talk with you soon.
Other words you can create: noun, verb, adjective, adverb, etc (ex: mug – mugger)
Postpone
Coupon
Invite
Voucher
Gift certificate
Adjourn
Delay
Defer
Table it
Collocations:
We often use “take a rain check” when we have to decline an offer. So we commonly will see this idiom accompany collocations associated with rejecting an invitation.
That’s very kind of you, but I will have to take a rain check.
I’m very sorry, I don’t think I can. Can I take a rain check?
I’m afraid I have plans already. How about a rain check?
Thanks’ for asking me, but I must pick the lice out of my hair. Rain check?
Sorry, I don’t think I can, I’ll take a rain check.
Related phrasal verbs:
Put off
To put something of means to delay.
- I am very sorry, I’m going to have to put off coming to the conference.
Put back
This means to move to another time or postpone something.
- I’m afraid I am going to have to put back our meeting.
Hold over
This means to delay or suspend until a later time.
- Sorry, I think I will have to hold over our meeting until I can get more time.
Hold off
To wait and do something another time.
- Thanks for asking me, but I will have to hold off on coming to the party.
Related idioms:
Hang Fire
This phrase we use to indicate a deal in doing something or delay in action.
- Sorry, I don’t think I can accept I am going to have to just hang fire and consider going next time.
Put on the back burner
Often we use this to say I have something more urgent or something or someone more important to do.
- Thanks for the invitation, unfortunately I am going to have to put that on the backburner and we look at meeting another time.
Take you up on it later
To do something later, usually resulting from an invitation.
- Hey that sounds like a great event, however I am going to have to take you up on the offer another time.
Synonyms (other ways to say):
Another time
- Thanks’ for asking me, but I must pick the lice out of my hair. Another time?
Next time
- I’m very sorry, I don’t think I can. Can we do it next time.
Make it happen another time
- Sorry I am not going to be able to come to your party, we will defiantly make it happen another time.
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