take two and hit to right

take two and hit to right

old-fashioned Supposed instructions for a baseball player when up to bat, though neither the source nor the actual meaning have ever been determined. Likewise, the phrase is offered as nebulous, meaningless advice when asked for an opinion about something to which one has no useful answer. Primarily heard in US. When I asked him what I should do, my dad just shrugged his shoulders and said, "Take two and hit to right."See also: and, hit, right, take, two

take two and hit to right

I have no idea what you should do. This baseball expression means that the batter should let the first two pitches go by and hit to the right side of the diamond. Why the batter should let what might be perfectly hittable pitches go by has never been explained, and neither has the phrase's origin. The expression entered general use as something to say when you are asked for advice for which you have no better answer. You feel as though to have to say something, so you say “take two and hit to right.” Your listener will either nod knowingly and say “thanks a lot” or stare blankly at you until you explain what you meant.See also: and, hit, right, take, two