But a person who threw a curveball did something unexpected. Someone who steps up to the plate is ready to do his or her job.
A pinch hitter takes the place of someone else at a job or activity.
A person who strikes out or goes down swinging attempted something but failed.
We also might tell the person that three strikes and you are out.
But someone who hit a home run or hit it out of the park did something extremely well.
Sometimes I have to give information quickly without time to think it over.
Then I would say something right off the bat. If someone is doing an extremely good job and is very successful, you might say he or she is batting 1000.
If I say I want to touch base with you, I will talk to you from time to time about something we planned to do.
I might say I touched all the bases if I did what is necessary to complete a job or activity.
