up to bat
Ready to swing
Up to bat means it's your turn to hit in baseball, standing at home plate facing the pitcher.
The phrase extends to any situation where someone's turn has come to perform or take responsibility: You're up to bat on the presentation tomorrow.
Next up to bat means you're on deck—waiting to go next.
Pouring vessel or hurler
- inningBaseball game segment
- swingSuspended recreational seat
- strikeForceful impact or stoppage
- ballSpherical plaything or gala
foul · lineup · dugout · slugger · diamond · umpire · catcher · fastball
Scheduled performance start
- crunch-timeHigh-pressure deadline period
- do-or-dieDesperately crucial situation
- make-or-breakDetermining ultimate success
- zero-hourPlanned attack commencement
Likelihood of occurrence
occasion · break · window · prospect · possibility · go · crack · attempt
Made ready beforehand
pitcher
Pouring vessel or hurler
ball · foul · lineup · dugout · slugger · diamond · umpire · catcher · fastball · curveball
showtime
Scheduled performance start
- crunch-timeHigh-pressure deadline period
- do-or-dieDesperately crucial situation
- make-or-breakDetermining ultimate success
chance
Likelihood of occurrence
moment · occasion · break · window · prospect · possibility · go · crack · attempt · try
prepared
Made ready beforehand
nerves
Tense apprehension
- tensionStretched or strained state
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
expectation · stakes · spotlight · scrutiny · clutch · jitters · weight · challenge · demand
up to baton the bench
Inactive but available
in the hole · on deck · waiting in the wings · retired · struck out
up to batsidelined
Removed from participation
on the sidelines · benched · sitting out · out of action · waiting your turn
bat, upping, upward, upwards, bats, batted, batting, batter, batters