pickoff
1 of 2noun
pick·off ˈpik-ˌȯf 
: a baseball play in which a base runner is picked off
pick off
2 of 2verb
picked off; picking off; picks off
transitive verb
1
: to shoot or bring down especially one by one
2
: to put out (a base runner who is off base) with a quick throw (as from the pitcher or catcher)
3
: intercept
picked off a pass
Synonyms
Verb
- block
- intercept
- interdict
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun He made a pickoff throw to third base. Verb picked off more passes than any other player in the division
Recent Examples on the Web
Kent Somers, The Arizona Republic, 15 Sep. 2022 Kershaw fired a pickoff throw to first that caught Ohtani off the bag. Beth Harris, Baltimore Sun, 20 July 2022 The meeting Tuesday between Ohtani and Kershaw consisted of a single pitch and a pickoff throw delivered three pitches into the next at-bat. Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2022 Kershaw fired a pickoff throw to first that caught Ohtani off the bag. Beth Harris, The Arizona Republic, 19 July 2022 Gallen allowed two runs in the second inning due to a wild pickoff throw followed by a double from Reds second baseman Jonathan India. Charlie Goldsmith, The Enquirer, 15 June 2022 Sullivan scored on a wild pickoff throw from ULM pitcher Tylor Jans (1-4), with Tissue racing to third. Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 15 May 2022 Mullins walked leading off the sixth and advanced to second on Cease’s throwing error on a pickoff attempt. Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2022 But then the left-hander picked off Ohtani, the first pickoff in an All-Star Game since 2008. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2022 See More
Noun
If a third pickoff attempt is unsuccessful, the runner advances one base. Kent Somers, The Arizona Republic, 15 Sep. 2022 Kershaw fired a pickoff throw to first that caught Ohtani off the bag. Beth Harris, Baltimore Sun, 20 July 2022 The meeting Tuesday between Ohtani and Kershaw consisted of a single pitch and a pickoff throw delivered three pitches into the next at-bat. Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2022 Kershaw fired a pickoff throw to first that caught Ohtani off the bag. Beth Harris, The Arizona Republic, 19 July 2022 Gallen allowed two runs in the second inning due to a wild pickoff throw followed by a double from Reds second baseman Jonathan India. Charlie Goldsmith, The Enquirer, 15 June 2022 Sullivan scored on a wild pickoff throw from ULM pitcher Tylor Jans (1-4), with Tissue racing to third. Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 15 May 2022 Mullins walked leading off the sixth and advanced to second on Cease’s throwing error on a pickoff attempt. Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2022 But then the left-hander picked off Ohtani, the first pickoff in an All-Star Game since 2008. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1911, in the meaning defined above
Verb
1810, in the meaning defined at sense 1
picks off
verb
as in grabs
to stop, seize, or interrupt while in progress or on course picked off more passes than any other player in the division Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- grabs
- intercepts
- blocks
- captures
- catches
- snatches
- traps
- interdicts
- seizes
- corrals
- collars
- snares