double play
MediumTechnical (sports), Informal (metaphorical)
Definition
Meaning
A baseball term for a single defensive play that records two outs.
Any coordinated action or maneuver that achieves two advantageous results simultaneously.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term originated in baseball (1870s) and is often used metaphorically in other domains (e.g., business, politics) to describe a single action that solves two problems or yields two benefits.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Overwhelmingly an American term due to its baseball origin. In the UK, it is understood primarily by sports enthusiasts or through American media, with no direct equivalent in cricket.
Connotations
In the US, it conveys skillful efficiency in sports and, metaphorically, in other areas. In the UK, it retains a strong American cultural association.
Frequency
Very common in US sports reporting and casual metaphor; low frequency in general UK English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
turn [a double play] on [the batter]hit into [a double play]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's a double play for the company: cutting costs and boosting morale.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to a business strategy or deal that achieves two key objectives at once, e.g., 'The merger was a financial double play.'
Academic
Rare; might appear in papers on sports management or metaphorical language analysis.
Everyday
Used metaphorically to describe any action that solves two problems, e.g., 'Cycling to work is a double play: it saves money and keeps me fit.'
Technical
Specifically denotes the baseball play, often detailing the positions involved (e.g., shortstop to second baseman to first baseman).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The team managed to double-play their way out of the inning, a rare feat.
American English
- The shortstop and second baseman double-played the runner perfectly.
adjective
British English
- They executed a brilliant double-play strategy.
American English
- He's known for his double-play ability.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- In baseball, two players can be out in one double play.
- The shortstop started a double play to end the inning.
- The new policy is a political double play, appealing to both environmentalists and businesses.
- His innovative solution functioned as a double play, simultaneously streamlining operations and enhancing customer satisfaction.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'double' (two) and 'play' (an action in a game). One play, two outs – a double success.
Conceptual Metaphor
ACHIEVING TWO GOALS IS A DOUBLE PLAY (based on the sports metaphor).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation as 'двойная игра', which implies deceit or duplicity. In baseball, it is often transliterated as 'дабл-плей' or described as 'двойной аут'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a verb without context (e.g., 'He doubled played the ball' is non-standard). The standard verb phrase is 'to turn a double play'.
- Confusing it with 'double fault' (tennis) or 'double dribble' (basketball).
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, what does 'double play' metaphorically mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
While it originated and is most precisely used in baseball, it has become a common metaphorical expression in other contexts like business and everyday life.
In informal sports commentary, it is sometimes used as a verb (e.g., 'They double-played him'), but the more standard phrasing is 'turned a double play'.
The 6-4-3 double play (shortstop to second baseman to first baseman) is one of the most common and classic examples.
No direct equivalent exists. Cricket has terms for dismissing two batters in quick succession (like 'a quick double'), but not for a single coordinated play resulting in two outs by the fielding side.