Phrase guide

bottom of the ninth

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

The second part of the ninth and final inning; the end of the game.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: ball-games, baseball, games, hobbies, lifestyle, sports

Examples

  • Hitting a home run with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth let the home team finish ahead of the visitors.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

By extension, any last chance or final opportunity.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Bottom, from the home team's location below visitors on the scoreboard; ninth from the number of innings in a baseball game.