How do you use "Go to bat for" in a sentence?

My manager went to bat for me when I asked for a promotion. I'll go to bat for you — just tell me what you need. She always goes to bat for her students when they're struggling.

Go to bat for

Q: What does "Go to bat for" mean?

To defend or support someone; to advocate on their behalf. In baseball, when you go to bat, you step up and face the pitcher — you're putting yourself on the line. 'Going to bat for someone' means standing up for them.

American Slang Term American ★★★★☆ Common informal

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Meaning: To defend or support someone; to advocate on their behalf.

为某人辩护或提供支持；替别人说话。

Defender o apoyar a alguien; abogar en su nombre.

誰かを弁護する、味方になる、代わりに主張すること。

누군가를 변호하거나 지지하다, 대신 나서서 주장하다.

In baseball, when you go to bat, you step up and face the pitcher — you're putting yourself on the line. 'Going to bat for someone' means standing up for them.

在棒球中，轮到你击球时，你要站出来面对投手——你在冒风险。'Go to bat for someone'意思是站出来替别人说话、为他们撑腰。

En el béisbol, cuando vas a batear, te expones frente al lanzador. «Go to bat for someone» significa dar la cara por alguien, defenderle.

野球で「go to bat」とは打席に立ち、ピッチャーと対峙すること — 自分を危険にさらすことだ。「go to bat for someone」は、その人のために立ち上がるという意味。

야구에서 타석에 들어서면 투수를 상대하며 위험을 감수한다. 'Going to bat for someone'은 그 사람을 위해 나서서 지지한다는 뜻이다.

Examples

My manager went to bat for me when I asked for a promotion.
我申请升职的时候，经理替我出面争取了。
Mi jefe dio la cara por mí cuando pedí un ascenso.
昇進を頼んだ時、上司が味方になって掛け合ってくれた。
승진을 요청했을 때, 상사가 나서서 지지해줬다.
I'll go to bat for you — just tell me what you need.
我会替你出头的——告诉我你需要什么。
Daré la cara por ti — solo dime qué necesitas.
君のために一肌脱ぐよ — 何が必要か教えて。
네 편에 서줄게 — 뭐가 필요한지 말해봐.
She always goes to bat for her students when they're struggling.
学生遇到困难时，她总是站出来为他们说话。
Ella siempre defiende a sus alumnos cuando tienen dificultades.
彼女は苦労している生徒のために、いつも味方になってくれる。
그녀는 힘들어하는 학생들을 위해 항상 편에 서준다.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: advocacy, support, workplace

Tone: supportive, loyal

✓ Do Say

I'll go to bat for you.
我会替你出头的。
Daré la cara por ti.
君のために一肌脱ぐよ。
내가 네 편에 설게.
Thanks for going to bat for me.
谢谢你替我出面。
Gracias por dar la cara por mí.
味方になってくれてありがとう。
나를 위해 나서줘서 고마워.

✗ Don't Say

Only say it if you mean it
只有当你是认真的时候才说这话
Solo dilo si lo dices en serio
本気でなければ言わないこと
진심이 아니라면 쓰지 마라

Origin & History

From baseball, where going to bat means stepping into the batter's box. The metaphorical use became common in the mid-20th century.

Cultural Context

Era: Mid-20th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal