straight bat

Originating from cricket, 'straight bat' describes both a specific batting technique and a metaphor for honesty and straightforwardness.

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Definition

B2Cricket

(technical, sport)A batting technique where the bat is held vertically to block the ball.

Example

  • The player used a straight bat to defend against the fast bowler.

C1Idiomatic

(British, informal)To handle a situation in an honest and straightforward manner.

Example

  • When questioned by the press, she played a straight bat and answered honestly.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "straight bat":

straight arrowstraight lacestraight as an arrowsuper straightstraight goodsplay it straightstraight shootercross batstraight mandead batstraight dinkumplain ballgo to batstraight edgewalk a straight lineup to batstraight upghost batbat a thousandeven keelflat stick