innings
LowFormal, Technical (Sports)
Definition
Meaning
The period during which a team or individual bats in cricket or baseball; a turn or opportunity to perform.
Used metaphorically to denote a period of power, influence, or opportunity to achieve something; a span of time in which a person or group is active or effective.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The noun "innings" is plural in form but typically singular in construction (e.g., 'a long innings'). In cricket, it refers to a team's turn to bat; in metaphorical use, it implies a period of sustained activity or influence. The metaphorical sense is often used in political or business contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, primarily associated with cricket; in American English, primarily associated with baseball (though 'inning' is the singular form in baseball, and 'innings' is less common). The metaphorical use ('have a good innings') is chiefly British.
Connotations
In BrE, 'innings' in cricket is a central, technical term. The idiom 'have a good innings' often refers to a long and successful life. In AmE, the singular 'inning' is standard for baseball, and the term lacks the strong idiomatic/metaphorical resonance.
Frequency
Much more frequent in UK English due to cultural prominence of cricket and the common metaphorical idiom.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The team batted for a long innings.The Prime Minister has had her innings.He played a crucial innings.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Have a good/long innings: to live a long and fulfilling life; to have a successful period in a role.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The new CEO had a productive innings, restructuring the company before retiring.
Academic
The historian analysed the politician's innings in office.
Everyday
My grandfather had a good innings—he was 95 when he passed away.
Technical
England declared their first innings at 432 for 9.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The team will innings first after winning the toss.
adjective
British English
- The innings total was impressive.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The cricket match has two innings.
- He had a good innings and scored many runs.
- England's first innings lasted all day.
- After a long innings as manager, she decided to step down.
- The visiting team faced an innings defeat after a poor batting performance.
- The Chancellor's political innings was marked by significant economic reform.
- Declaring their innings early was a bold tactical move by the captain.
- Metaphorically speaking, his innings in the academic world was both prolific and controversial.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'INNINGS' as the time you are 'IN' the game, taking your turn to bat.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE/OPPORTUNITY IS A TURN AT BAT.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить как "внутренности" (внутренние органы), что является ложным другом от 'innards'.
- В бейсбольном контексте не путать с 'inning' (единственное число).
- Идиоматическое выражение 'have a good innings' не имеет прямого эквивалента в русском.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'inning' as the plural form in a cricket context (correct: innings).
- Treating 'innings' as grammatically plural (e.g., 'The innings were long' is incorrect; 'The innings was long' is correct).
Practice
Quiz
In which sport is the term 'innings' most technically central in British English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is plural in form but treated as singular in grammar (e.g., 'The innings was long').
It primarily means to live a long and full life. It can also refer to having a successful period in a job or activity.
In American baseball, the equivalent term is 'inning', though the concept is not identical. The metaphorical idiom is not commonly used in AmE.
Rarely and informally in cricket contexts (e.g., 'We'll innings first'), but it is not standard. The noun form is overwhelmingly dominant.