square leg: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Sports
Quick answer
What does “square leg” mean?
A fielding position in cricket, roughly at a 90-degree angle to the batsman on the leg side.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A fielding position in cricket, roughly at a 90-degree angle to the batsman on the leg side.
The term is almost exclusively used in the context of cricket. It can refer to the position itself or the fielder stationed there. There is no common metaphorical or extended use outside of sports.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is specific to cricket, a sport far more prevalent in the UK and Commonwealth nations. In American English, it is virtually unknown except among followers of international sports.
Connotations
In the UK/Commonwealth, it connotes technical sports knowledge. In the US, it is an obscure sports term with no particular connotation.
Frequency
High frequency in UK sports media and conversation among cricket fans; extremely low to zero frequency in general American English.
Grammar
How to Use “square leg” in a Sentence
The batsman glanced the ball to {square leg}.The captain placed a fielder at {square leg}.He was caught by the player stationed at {square leg}.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “square leg” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The square-leg fielder took a spectacular catch.
- He has a strong square-leg glance.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in academic papers or discussions about sports science or cricket history.
Everyday
Only in everyday conversation in cricket-playing nations when discussing the sport.
Technical
Core technical terminology in cricket coaching, commentary, and rulebooks.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “square leg”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “square leg”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “square leg”
- Using 'square leg' to refer to any leg-side field position (it is specific).
- Capitalising it as a proper noun (it is not).
- Trying to use it in non-cricket contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, baseball has different fielding positions and terminology. The closest conceptual equivalent might be a fielder in shallow right field (for a right-handed batter), but the terms are not interchangeable.
No, 'square leg' is exclusively a noun referring to a fielding position or the fielder in that position. You cannot 'square leg' a ball.
On the opposite side of the pitch (the off side), the geometrically equivalent position is 'point' or 'cover point'. There is no single direct antonym, but 'point' is the corresponding position on the off side.
It is called 'square' because the fielder is positioned approximately at a right angle (square) to the batsman's popping crease. 'Leg' specifies it is on the leg side of the batsman (the side behind the batsman when in stance).
A fielding position in cricket, roughly at a 90-degree angle to the batsman on the leg side.
Square leg is usually technical/sports in register.
Square leg: in British English it is pronounced /ˌskweə ˈleɡ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌskwer ˈleɡ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a batsman standing at the corner of a 'square'. The 'leg' is the side their legs are on. A fielder standing square to them on that leg side is at 'square leg'.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPORTING POSITIONS ARE GEOMETRICAL LOCATIONS (using 'square' to denote a right angle).
Practice
Quiz
In which sport is the term 'square leg' exclusively used?