at 'em ball

noun

A hard-hit batted ball hit straight at a fielder in the air for an out.

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Meanings

nounat 'em ball (plural at 'em balls)

plural at 'em balls · alternative at'em ball · alternative at-'em ball

  1. slangball gamesA hard-hit batted ball hit straight at a fielder in the air for an out.

    If opposing hitters consistently hit balls at -Fielders, the fortunate pitcher is said, to be possessed of an "at 'em ball."

    1996, Mike Whiteford, How to Talk Baseball, →ISBN, page 76

Origin

Because such a ball is hit straight at 'em (at them).

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

at 'em ball. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/at%20'em%20ball

MLA

“at 'em ball.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/at%20'em%20ball. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “at 'em ball,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/at%20'em%20ball.

Source: at 'em ball on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.