The Meaning of RAIN CHECK

This video gives the origin, definition and meaning of RAIN CHECK. Commonly used in American English, it is also gradually coming into British English.

Here is a transcript of the video: “The Meaning of TAKE A RAIN CHECK”

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Slide 3:
The meaning of TAKE A RAIN CHECK:

to politely decline an offer, postponing it to a more convenient time

Note the word CHECK in this context does not mean an inspection or verification.

Rather, it refers to a ticket or slip of paper for identification.

Slide 4:
This phrase is common in American English and is gaining acceptance in British English also.

It refers to a practice in America where a person who attends an outdoor event which is postponed due to the weather or rain, is given a ticket or slip so they can get a refund or admission to the event if it is rescheduled.

Let’s look at an example:

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In the picture we see a man sitting on a bench minding a baby, talking on the phone.

Sentence example: When his friend called inviting him for a drink, he replied: “I’ll take a rain check if you don’t mind. I am looking after the baby this afternoon.”

So by using the phrase ‘take a rain check’, the man politely refuses the invitation, but indicates it might be possible on another day.

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So remember, if you invite someone to an event or to do something, and they reply: “Do you mind if I take a rain check on that?”, they are politely saying no, although they may be able to accept in the future, at a more convenient time.

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As you are interested in the meaning of RAIN CHECK, you might be interested in this idiom also:
A BLESSING IN DISGUISE – Idiom Meaning

Image Credits

Slide 5 – man on phone
Royalty Free
Photographer: anitapeppers
https://morguefile.com/p/35644

Regarding the use of illustrations and photographs used in this video:

Royalty Free
The image may be used for almost any business, personal, educational or charitable purpose as long as a credit is published to the creator of the image.