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no-hitter

Low-medium (specialized)
UK/ˈnəʊ ˌhɪt.ə/US/ˈnoʊ ˌhɪt̬.ɚ/

Informal (within sports contexts), technical (within baseball)

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Definition

Meaning

A baseball game in which a pitcher (or multiple pitchers) does not allow any hits to the opposing team.

Used more broadly to describe any pitching performance or game where a team records zero hits; can metaphorically refer to any situation where complete prevention or a perfect defensive performance occurs.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Strictly refers to 'no hits', not necessarily a perfect game (which also requires no runners reaching base by any means, including walks or errors). Can be used as a countable noun (e.g., 'He pitched two no-hitters').

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

The term is specific to North American baseball and has no direct equivalent in British cricket. In UK contexts, it would be understood only by those familiar with baseball.

Connotations

In US: achievement, rarity, pitching dominance. In UK: foreign sports term, niche knowledge.

Frequency

Very common in US sports media during baseball season; extremely rare in general UK English.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
pitch a no-hitterthrow a no-hittercomplete-game no-hittercombined no-hitter
medium
lost a no-hitterno-hitter bidno-hitter through six innings
weak
celebrate a no-hitterfamous no-hitterhistoric no-hitter

Grammar

Valency Patterns

PITCH/THROW + a no-hitterLOSE/CARRY a no-hitter + into the Xth inningBREAK UP a no-hitter

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

no-hit shutout

Neutral

hitless gameno-hit game

Weak

dominant pitching performance

Vocabulary

Antonyms

hitting barrageoffensive explosion

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “Take a no-hitter into the late innings (to maintain excellence under pressure)”

Usage

Context Usage

Academic

Used in sports history, statistics, or sociology papers analyzing baseball.

Everyday

Only in conversations about baseball or as a metaphor for flawless performance.

Technical

Precise statistical term in baseball scoring and record-keeping.

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

American English

  • He nearly no-hit them for seven innings.

adjective

American English

  • It was a no-hitter bid that captivated the stadium.

Examples

By CEFR Level

A2
  • The pitcher had a no-hitter.
B1
  • He pitched a no-hitter last night.
B2
  • The rookie carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning, only to surrender a single.
C1
  • Despite a combined no-hitter by three relievers, the team lost in extra innings due to defensive errors.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

NO hits allowed = NO-HITTER. Think of a pitcher hitting nothing but air.

Conceptual Metaphor

PERFECTION IS A CLEAN SLATE (no marks/hits)

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Avoid translating literally as 'нет-хиттер' – it's a fixed compound noun. 'Игра без хитов' is descriptive but not the term.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'no-hitter' to mean a game with no runs (that's a 'shutout').
  • Confusing with 'perfect game' (which has no baserunners at all).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The pitcher threw a spectacular to secure his place in the record books.
Multiple Choice

What is the primary difference between a 'no-hitter' and a 'perfect game' in baseball?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, a team can win 1-0 or by any score if they pitch a no-hitter, as long as they score at least one run.

Yes, this is called a 'combined no-hitter' or 'combined no-hit game'.

No, cricket has different terms like 'maiden over' (no runs scored off an over) but no direct equivalent for an entire team innings without a hit.

It is a relatively rare event, occurring a few times per season on average, making it a significant achievement.