What does the phrase "To take a rain check" mean?

Question

What are the origins of this phrase, and how do you use it? Thanks!

Answer 1

It means you will do it later. I'll look up the origins for you.

Here's an explanation:

Can you possibly tell me the origin of the word rain check?
Not only is it possible - it is probable! American baseball fans will be familiar with the term, as that is where it arose: when a game was rained out, those who had tickets for that game were given a rain check which they could redeem at another game. That might explain why efforts to prevent a baseball game from being canceled by rain (and rain checks issued) are so prodigious: covering the playing field with tarp, keeping the fans and players waiting as long as possible to see if the downpour will end.
The term was soon used metaphorically, and by the 1970s it had spread outside the U.S. and into other English-speaking countries. The use of the term as early as 1884 gives some indication as to the popularity of baseball in the U.S. even at that time: 'The heavy rain yesterday threw a damper over local operations. At each of the parks the audience had to be content with three innings and rain checks'

Answer 2

"- Rain check, a new ticket for the make-up game, if a baseball game is started but does not reach the point of becoming official. The invention is credited to Charles Ebbets.

- Rain check, (US English) an agreement to provide to a customer an item that a merchant has run out of.

The expression has migrated from its original context in to general use. It is most often used casually, either when declining an invitation or to suggest continuing at a later time an activity which has been interrupted. Examples: "I'll take a rain check on that drink tonight, if that's all right" or "I can't play tennis this afternoon but can I get a rain check?"

Answer 3

When you go to a store to get something on sale but they are out of it, you can go to customer service and request a rain check. They give you a piece of paper (a rain check) stating when you come back next time you can get that item for the sale price. I guess they call it that because you can save it for a rainy day. People now use this phrase to say I'm interested but I want to do it later. Like "whould you like to go get a cup of coffee with me?" "no, but I'll take a rain check". Hope this helps!

Answer 4

It means to postpone some activity until a later, yet-to-be-determined date. I presume it refers to cancelling a parade or outdoor event due to rain, originally.

"We'll have to take a rain check on our date tonight; the boss just called and I suddenly have three reports to finish by tomorrow morning."

Answer 5

I don't know where it came from but i do know what it means. It means to not do something. Like a friend asks you "You want to go to the mall with me today?" and you say "No thanks, i'm not feeling well so I'll take a rain check on that one." See?! :)

Answer 6

Usually Purple rain follows the Purple Haze.

Answer 7

I'm not an English native speaker so i have the same questiom

Answer 8

have you ever heard of www.google.com?
um, to take a rain check means to do it later or another time instead. but to find the origins...use google yourself buddy.
happy holidays

Answer 9

It means to postpone it for another time.

Answer 10

do it later, not now