I need to take a rain check on dinner tonight; I have to work late
ATo check the weather forecast
BTo accept an invitation immediately
CTo decline an offer now but suggest doing it at a later time
DTo pay for a meal
Answer:
C. To decline an offer now but suggest doing it at a later time
Read Explanation:
Understanding the Idiom: 'Take a Rain Check'
- The idiom 'to take a rain check' means to decline an offer or invitation now, but with the intention of accepting it at a later, unspecified time. It implies a desire to participate but an inability to do so at the present moment.
- It is commonly used when one needs to postpone an engagement due to unforeseen circumstances, a prior commitment, or a sudden change in plans. For example, 'I need to take a rain check on dinner tonight' means the person cannot have dinner tonight but hopes to do so another time.
Origin and Etymology
- The phrase originates from baseball in the United States during the late 19th century.
- A 'rain check' was a physical ticket issued to spectators when a game was postponed or canceled due to bad weather (rain). This ticket allowed them to attend a future game without purchasing a new ticket.
- The earliest known use of 'rain check' in this literal sense dates back to the 1880s.
- The figurative use, extending beyond baseball to general social invitations, became prevalent in the early 20th century.
Usage in Competitive Exams
- Idioms and phrases like 'take a rain check' are frequently tested in English language sections of competitive exams. Questions often assess a candidate's understanding of:
- The correct meaning of the idiom.
- Its appropriate usage in a given sentence or context.
- Synonymous phrases or alternatives.
- Understanding the origin can often help in recalling the meaning, as the idea of 'postponing for later due to an unforeseen event' is consistent with its baseball roots.
- Other similar phrases conveying a polite refusal with a promise for later include 'I'll have to pass this time,' or 'Maybe another time.'