Dictionary

swing and a miss en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Etymology

An allusion to unsuccessful physical actions in such sports as cricket, baseball or boxing, as when swinging a bat at a pitched ball or when throwing a punch at an opponent.

Meanings

1. (idiomatic, qualifier:almost always preceded by a, uncountable, usually) A sincere but unsuccessful attempt.
   • In her defense, she's not ever been at this level of national politics before but Tuesday night's speech felt like a swing and a miss for Ayotte. 2012 August 28, Chris Cillizza, “Republican National Convention night one: Winners and Losers”, in Washington Post, archived from the original on 19 Sep 2015, retrieved 11 Jan 2016:
   • Beef carpaccio with walnuts, lemon and pecorino is a swing and a miss: almost flavorless. 2009 November 24, Sam Sifton, “Dining and Wine: A Voce Columbus”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 07 Jan 2021, retrieved 11 Jan 2016:
   • A letter arrived from then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the Vatican's enforcer of the faith, instructing him to behave as a Roman Catholic politician and vote No. . . . And, of course, Mr. Koopmans voted Yes on the legislation. . . . A swing and a miss for Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI. 2005 June 4, Michael Valpy, “Dutch, Belgians take gay marriage in stride”, in Globe and Mail, Canada, archived from the original on 23 Jan 2025, retrieved 11 Jan 2016:

Forms

Translations (2)

ko 헛스윙 (Translations) · ja 空振り (Translations)