rain check
noun
1
: a ticket stub good for a later performance when the scheduled one is rained out
2
: an assurance of a deferred extension of an offer
especially : a document assuring that a customer can take advantage of a sale later if the item or service offered is not available (as by being sold out)
Example Sentences
The store offered rain checks when the sale items had all sold.
Recent Examples on the Web As more buyers take a rain check, the housing market correction only gets more intense. 
Lance Lambert, Fortune, 30 July 2022 As a result, the postcard said, those who spent $75 or more during the November open house would need to bring in the postcard or an earlier postcard offer to receive a rain check to pick up a free gift from Dec. 13 through Dec. 24. Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 19 Nov. 2021 Take a rain check on an investment or money-making scheme. Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive, 29 June 2021 The glitchy first night — power problems, a producer explained to disappointed guests, sent home with a rain check — was corrected by the following evening. Washington Post, 17 June 2021 Stay home and take a rain check on a social invitation. Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive, 13 Nov. 2020 Take a rain check on amorous activities and avoid mix-ups and misunderstandings. Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive, 7 Sep. 2020 Take a rain check on a party or gathering that could become tiresome. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Your determination to succeed may be in high gear. Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive, 28 Aug. 2020 Postpone major purchases and take a rain check on social outings. oregonlive, 6 Aug. 2020 See More
Lance Lambert, Fortune, 30 July 2022 As a result, the postcard said, those who spent $75 or more during the November open house would need to bring in the postcard or an earlier postcard offer to receive a rain check to pick up a free gift from Dec. 13 through Dec. 24. Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 19 Nov. 2021 Take a rain check on an investment or money-making scheme. Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive, 29 June 2021 The glitchy first night — power problems, a producer explained to disappointed guests, sent home with a rain check — was corrected by the following evening. Washington Post, 17 June 2021 Stay home and take a rain check on a social invitation. Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive, 13 Nov. 2020 Take a rain check on amorous activities and avoid mix-ups and misunderstandings. Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive, 7 Sep. 2020 Take a rain check on a party or gathering that could become tiresome. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Your determination to succeed may be in high gear. Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive, 28 Aug. 2020 Postpone major purchases and take a rain check on social outings. oregonlive, 6 Aug. 2020 See More Word History
First Known Use
1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1