raɪt ɒf ðə bæt
Sports
informal
beginner
- Literally:
- immediately after the ball leaves the bat in baseball
What does "right off the bat" mean?
- immediately, without delay
- from the very beginning
Examples
- I knew right off the bat that something was wrong.
- Right off the bat, she impressed the interviewers with her confidence.
- Let me say right off the bat that I disagree with this plan.
Origin
From baseball, referring to the moment a ball is hit and flies off the bat.
How to use it
Used to emphasize that something happened instantly or was apparent from the start.
Similar expressions
immediately
straight away
from the get-go
Opposites
eventually
later on
in due time
Related idioms
- no pain no gain
Success requires hard work and sacrifice
- ball is in your court
It's your turn to take action or make a decision
- like riding a bicycle
A skill that, once learned, is never forgotten
- drop the ball
To fail to do something important; to make a mistake
- level playing field
A situation where everyone has an equal opportunity
- on the ball
Alert and competent
Use it in a practice answer
Try "right off the bat" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.