brushback
/ˈbrʌʃˌbæk/
noun
- In baseball, a pitch thrown close to the batter to force them to move back from the plate.
- The umpire warned both teams after a series of brushbacks.
- A brushback can be a dangerous pitch if it gets too close to the hitter's head.
- The pitcher threw a brushback to keep the batter from crowding the plate.
- A sharp or intimidating remark or action intended to make someone back down.
- The manager's brushback during the meeting caught everyone off guard.
- She delivered a verbal brushback that ended the argument.
- His comment was a brushback meant to silence the critic.