mid off: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
SpecializedTechnical/Sports
Quick answer
What does “mid off” mean?
A fielding position in cricket, on the off side of the field, roughly level with the batsman and at a medium distance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A fielding position in cricket, on the off side of the field, roughly level with the batsman and at a medium distance.
The term refers specifically to the fielder occupying that position. It is never used outside the context of cricket.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is exclusively used in cricket-playing nations (UK, Australia, India, etc.). In American English, it is virtually unknown unless discussing cricket, and no direct American sports equivalent exists.
Connotations
In the UK and Commonwealth, it connotes cricket culture, tradition, and technical knowledge. In the US, it has no connotation or may signal unfamiliarity with the sport.
Frequency
High frequency in cricket commentary and literature within cricket-playing cultures. Extremely low to zero frequency in general American English.
Grammar
How to Use “mid off” in a Sentence
[Bowler] tempted the drive to mid off.The captain moved [Player] to mid off.A catch was dropped by mid off.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mid off” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He took a spectacular mid-off catch.
- The mid-off fielder was brought up closer.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in papers or discussions on sports science or cricket history.
Everyday
Only in everyday conversation in cricket-playing nations during the sport's season or related talk.
Technical
Core terminology in cricket coaching manuals, commentary, and rulebooks.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mid off”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mid off”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mid off”
- Using 'mid off' to describe a position in baseball or rounders.
- Writing it as 'mid-off' in all contexts (often hyphenated when used attributively, e.g., 'a mid-off catch').
- Confusing it with 'mid on'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is a term specific to cricket. The closest conceptual equivalents in baseball would be positions like 'shortstop' or 'third base', but they are not analogous.
It is typically written as two words ('mid off'), but is often hyphenated when used as a modifier before a noun (e.g., 'a mid-off position').
The direct opposite fielding position on the cricket field is 'mid on', which is the same medium distance but on the batsman's leg side.
Not unless they have a specific interest in cricket or are living in a major cricket-playing country. It is a specialized technical term.
A fielding position in cricket, on the off side of the field, roughly level with the batsman and at a medium distance.
Mid off is usually technical/sports in register.
Mid off: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɪd ˈɒf/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɪd ˈɔf/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'MIDdle distance, OFF side.' The batsman's 'off' side is the side they hold their bat (for a right-hander, the right side). Mid is halfway out.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPORTING POSITION AS A STATIONARY ROLE (like a chess piece or military post).
Practice
Quiz
In which sport is the term 'mid off' exclusively used?