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Lynn3 Posted 21 years ago
Vocabulary

Can I have a raincheck?

A: I am sorry, Ma'am. We're out of stock on that.

B: Can I have a raincheck, then, please?

A: Ok. Just ask at the cash register.

What does " Can I have a raincheck?" mean ?

Thanks,

Lynn
  

Top answer

Hi Lynn3, here is a very good explanation. A raincheck was originally a voucher issued at baseball games that were rained out, allowing the spectators to return to watch another game. Gradually, the usage spread to other types of sporting events and eventually to any offer that was not taken up immediately.

— Danyoo

  • Hi Lynn3, here is a very good explanation.
  • A raincheck was originally a voucher issued at baseball games that were rained out, allowing the spectators to return to watch another game.
  • Gradually, the usage spread to other types of sporting events and eventually to any offer that was not taken up immediately.
  • Your example would make more sense if the store had some kind of special offer on that particular stock, such as a 50% sale.
  • Since the store was out of that item, you can take a raincheck and come back at a later date, but still only pay the sale price.
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4 Answers
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Hi Lynn3, here is a very good explanation.

A raincheck was originally a voucher issued at baseball games that were rained out, allowing the spectators to return to watch another game. Gradually, the usage spread to other types of sporting events and eventually to any offer that was not taken up immediately. Your example would make more sense if the store had some kind of special offe
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Hi! Danyoo,

So, Taking a raincheck means I can reserve the thing I want. Then I come back to get it when it arrives.

Am I right?

Lynn
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Hi Lynn3,

Yes you are correct.

Another example I can think of, beside the "sale" one I gave you before is...let's say you went to the store to buy a new Playstation that everyone has eagerly been waiting to buy. But when you arrived there, all of them were sold out. Then the store will give you a raincheck which will ensure that you will be notified when the next shipment arriv
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In your example, they gave you the exact definition you asked for. There is another use for raincheck, which is when you are invited to do something, but you can't at that time and you would like to do it a different day. You can say that you would like to take a raincheck. Not all that common, but it is used that way sometimes.
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