Make up for lost time

[0424] Take a rain check

🎲 Procrastinate
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • To politely decline an invitation now but express hope or intention to accept it at a later, unspecified time.

Origin

  • From 19th-century American baseball. Spectators received a rain check ticket for a future game if the current one was rained out.
  • It generalized to mean postponing any social offer due to current inability to accept.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Postpone
  • Reschedule
  • Maybe another time?
  • Let's do it later.
  • Can we pencil it in for later? (Tentatively schedule)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Gotta bail, maybe next time? (Bail = cancel plans)
  • Can't swing it this time. (Swing it = manage to do something)
  • I'm down for next time though! (Expressing future interest)

Milder/Standard:

  • I can't make it then, but perhaps another time?
  • Sorry, I have a conflict. Can we reschedule?

More Formal (usually just declines without strong implication of rescheduling):

  • Unfortunately, I have a prior commitment. Thank you for the invitation.

Situational Appropriateness

  • Common and polite for informal and semi-formal social invitations.
  • Might seem evasive if used repeatedly without genuine intent to reschedule.
  • Less common for very formal events (e.g., weddings).

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Non-native speakers might be confused by the literal rain. Explain it's a set idiom for postponing an invitation politely.
  • Clarify it implies *wanting* to accept later, not just declining.

Examples

  • I'd love to come to the party, but I'm busy Saturday. Can I take a rain check?
  • Thanks for asking me to dinner, but I can't tonight. Rain check?

Dialogue

Alex: Hey, want to grab lunch tomorrow?

Jamie: Aw, thanks Alex! I'd love to, but I have back-to-back meetings. Can I take a rain check?

Alex: Of course! No problem at all. Let me know when works for you next week.

Jamie: Will do! Thanks for understanding.

Social Media Examples

  • Event Invite Response: This looks amazing! Sadly can't make it on the 10th. Can I take a rain check for the next meetup? 😊
  • DM to Friend: Saw your story about going hiking Sunday looks fun! Can't join this time but definitely keen for the next one! Rain check? 😉

Response Patterns

  • Sure, no problem! Another time.
  • Okay, definitely. Let me know when you're free.
  • Alright, catch you later then.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After someone asks for a rain check:

  • The inviter typically agrees politely (Sure, another time, No worries).
  • They might suggest rescheduling soon (Maybe next week?) or leave it open.

Ideally, the person who asked for the rain check:

  • Should follow up later to suggest a new time, though this doesn't always happen.

Conversation Starter

  • No. It's a response to an invitation or offer.

Intonation

  • Usually said politely, often with a slightly apologetic or appreciative tone.
  • Stress on RAIN check. Can I TAKE a RAIN check?
  • Often phrased as a question with rising intonation.

Generation Differences

  • Widely understood. May be slightly more common among older generations (30+) but still used by younger people.

Regional Variations

  • Very common in American English.
  • Understood but less frequently used in British English, where alternatives like Maybe another time? or simply declining politely are more common.
Make up for lost time
🎲 Procrastinate