Slangora

rain cheque

The Commonwealth and UK spelling of 'rain check' — a phrase meaning a promise to take up an offer at a later date when current circumstances prevent it.

ˈɹeɪn ˈt͡ʃik203 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
⚡ Tech, Dev & AI
2 definitions
Community

Definitions

UK
#1·Apr 28, 2026UK

The Commonwealth and UK spelling of 'rain check' — a phrase meaning a promise to take up an offer at a later date when current circumstances prevent it. Originally from American baseball, where a rain check was a stub entitling the holder to attend a rescheduled game. The figurative use spread widely and 'take a rain cheque' is standard informal British idiom for politely deferring an invitation.

I can't make dinner tonight — can I take a rain cheque and join you next week?
Origin: From the literal rain check issued at rained-out baseball games, extended figuratively. The 'cheque' spelling follows Commonwealth conventions for promissory documents. Editorial expansion authored on Slangora.
For parents

Rain cheque means: The Commonwealth and UK spelling of 'rain check' - a phrase meaning a promise to take up an offer at a later date when current circumstances prevent it. Originally from American baseball, where a. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

rain cheque means: The Commonwealth and UK spelling of 'rain check' - a phrase meaning a promise to take up an offer at a later date when current circumstances prevent it. Originally from American. Register: neutral, standard English. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.

Cluster: normal
Was this helpful?

Comments

UK
#2·Apr 27, 2026UK

(Commonwealth, UK, Ireland, ) rain check.

Cluster: general
Was this helpful?

Comments

For specific readers

Rain cheque means: The Commonwealth and UK spelling of 'rain check' - a phrase meaning a promise to take up an offer at a later date when current circumstances prevent it. Originally from American baseball, where a. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

Used in

UK

Have a better definition?

Add your own interpretation of "rain cheque".

Add definition

⚡About Tech, Dev & AI slang

The vocabulary of software engineers, AI researchers, and anyone living in a terminal or on GitHub — from LLM to MCP, CORS to vibe coding, agentic to enshittification.

See all Tech, Dev & AI slang on Slangora.

Tags

Other words near "rain cheque" (R)

Browse all slang words starting with R.

Related terms

People also read

Semantically related