Off his own bat

Definitions

• taking independent action
  To describe someone taking action or making a decision without being asked or told to do so, often to show initiative or self-reliance

Examples of Off his own bat

• John surprised us all by deciding to take a sabbatical from work off his own bat.

  This means that John did not consult with anyone, such as his boss or colleagues, before making the decision to take time off work. He made the decision independently.

• The charity organization raised a substantial amount of money through a successful fundraising campaign that they organized off their own bat.

  This means that the charity did not receive any financial support from external sources, such as a government grant or a corporate sponsor, for the campaign. They initiated and executed the campaign entirely on their own.

• My cousin started a small business selling handmade jewelry off his own bat.

  This means that my cousin did not receive any financial backing or training from others to start the business. He took the initiative and began selling his jewelry independently.

• The athlete broke the record in his latest competition without any external assistance, off his own bat.

  This means that the athlete achieved the record without the help of tools, equipment, or other athletes. He did not receive any external support to reach the record-breaking level.

• John surprised us all by submitting his project idea off his own bat.

  This means that John came up with the idea on his own without any prompting or suggestion from others.

• Sarah's decision to quit her job and start her own business was completely off her own bat.

  In this example, Sarah made the choice to leave her job and start a business independently, without any encouragement or influence from others.

• The sales team exceeded their targets this quarter, largely due to their proactive approach, rather than waiting for management to come up with a plan off their own bat.

  This example demonstrates that the sales team was successful by taking matters into their own hands rather than relying on their managers to provide direction or solutions.

• The politician made a bold decision to break ranks with his party and vote against the proposed legislation, acting off his own bat.

  This example shows that the politician went against his party's wishes and voted independently, based solely on his own beliefs and principles.

Conclusion

The idiom "off his own bat" is used to convey the idea of someone taking independent action without being prompted or instructed. It can be used to commend someone for their initiative or to emphasize their self-reliance. It can also be used to point out someone's tendency to act on their own without seeking permission or approval.

Origin of "Off his own bat"

The origin of the idiom "off his own bat" is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the world of cricket. In cricket, a batsman who scores runs without the help of a partner is said to be "off his own bat." This idea of self-reliance and individual action likely contributed to the idiom's use in a broader context to describe someone taking independent action. The idiom has been used in English language for many years and has become a common way to highlight someone's self-initiated actions.