rain check

• Expression informelle utilisée pour refuser poliment une invitation ou une offre pour le moment, tout en ayant l'intention de l'accepter plus tard. À l'origine, dans le baseball, un talon de billet donnait droit à assister à un futur match si la partie en cours était annulée à cause de la pluie.

An informal expression used to politely decline an invitation or offer now, but with the intention of accepting it at a later time. Originally from baseball, where a ticket stub allowed entry to a future game if the current one was rained out.

1. Postponement of an invitationB1informalamerican

   A polite way to decline an invitation now but suggest that it may be accepted later.

   pluie de report

   • I can't make it to dinner tonight, but can I take a rain check?
   • She offered a rain check for the movie since she was busy.
   • He asked for a rain check on the golf game.

2. Ticket for a future eventB2formalamerican

   A ticket given to a spectator when an outdoor event is canceled due to rain, allowing them to attend a future event.

   billet de remplacement

   • The baseball game was canceled, so they issued rain checks.
   • Fans with rain checks can use them for the next home game.
   • He kept his rain check for the concert rescheduled next month.