PhrasesHub

Three strikes and you are out

    Definitions

      • discourage someone
        Advise against engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit

      • consequences for repeated failures
        Warn that if someone fails three times at something, they will be unsuccessful or penalized

      • final chance
        Express that someone has one last opportunity to succeed or achieve a goal before facing negative consequences

    Examples of Three strikes and you are out

    • The police arrested John for burglary, but due to lack of evidence, he was released. The next day, he was caught red-handed stealing from a convenience store. This was his second offense, and the judge warned him, "Three strikes and you're out." John knew then that if he committed another crime, it was game over.

      This idiom is commonly used in legal processes to describe the point at which a defendant is no longer given the chance to defend themselves. In baseball, "three strikes" refers to a batter failing to hit the ball three times in a row, resulting in their team losing a player. In this context, "out" refers to the loss of the defendant's freedom, with their imprisonment being the consequence of committing three serious offenses.

    • Sarah had been overeating for weeks, and her doctor warned her, "Three times a week at the gym and healthy eating, or three strikes and you'll be on medication." Sarah was determined not to let her health spiral out of control, so she hit the gym every day.

      In this example, "three strikes" can be seen as a metaphor for three opportunities to turn things around. In Sarah's case, "three strikes" would mean three instances of poor health choices that could result in her needing medication. By contrast, "three times a week at the gym" represents three opportunities to make better choices and avoid the need for medication.

    • Dave's boss called him into his office and laid out the company's policies: "First offense, warning. Second offense, suspension. Third offense, you're fired." Dave nodded, understanding that there was no room for error at the company.

      In this context, "three strikes" refers to three instances of breaking company rules. In each instance, the consequences would escalate, becoming increasingly severe. The final "strike," or third instance, would result in the loss of Dave's job. By adhering to the company's policies, Dave hoped to avoid the need for such drastic measures.

    • "I've known you for a long time," Josh's friend said sternly, "but if you keep going down this path, it's three strikes and you're out of my life." Josh took a deep breath, realizing that he couldn't keep hanging around with negative influences.

      This example shows how the "three strikes" idiom can be used as a metaphor for a close relationship coming to an end due to repeated negative behavior. The friend is giving Josh a warning that if he continues down the wrong path, their friendship will come to an end, just as a baseball player is removed from the game after three strikes.

    • In the baseball game, the batter swung and missed three times in a row. The umpire declared, "Three strikes and you're out!"

      This example is straightforward and follows the traditional usage of the idiom in sports. The batter has three chances to hit the ball with the bat, and if they miss three times in a row, they are out.

    • The thief was caught red-handed with the stolen item. He pleaded with the judge for leniency, but the judge replied, "I'm afraid three strikes and you're out. Your previous offenses have landed you in prison again."

      This example is a metaphorical use of the idiom. In this scenario, the consequences of past criminal offenses are being compared to strikes in baseball, with a third offense resulting in a harsh punishment.

    • The company had been warned twice about delivering subpar products. The CEO knew that if they failed to meet the expectations a third time, they would be out of business.

      This example employs the idiom in a business context. Here, it is used to signify that the company has been given opportunities to improve, but if they continue to perform poorly, they will face serious repercussions.

    • The student took three exams and got failing grades. The teacher said, "Unfortunately, three strikes and you're out. You'll need to retake the course."

      This example applies the idiom to academic settings. In this case, failing the course three times results in the student being dismissed from the class, and they'll need to take the course again to successfully graduate.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "three strikes and you are out" is often used to discourage someone from pursuing a particular course of action, warning them that it will not lead to a positive outcome. It can also be used to convey the message that repeated failures will have consequences, and that if someone fails three times at something, they will ultimately be unsuccessful or penalized. Additionally, the idiom can be used to indicate that someone has one final chance to succeed before facing negative consequences.

    Origin of "Three strikes and you are out"

    The origin of the idiom "three strikes and you are out" can be traced back to the game of baseball. In baseball, a batter is given three attempts, or "strikes," to hit the ball. If they fail to hit the ball after three strikes, they are considered "out" and must leave the field. This concept has been adopted into everyday language to signify that someone has reached their limit of chances or opportunities and will face negative consequences as a result. The idiom has since been used in various contexts to convey the idea of final chances and the potential for failure after repeated attempts. For example, it is commonly used in discussions about rules, regulations, and consequences in both sports and non-sports-related situations.