Take a rain check means to politely say no to an invitation now while making it clear that you would be happy to accept another time. It is how you reply to friends or colleagues who invite you to the cinema, a bar or dinner. The expression is informal and more American, but people in Britain understand it too. In a business email, Could we reschedule? is more appropriate.
When would you say take a rain check?
Write a sentence — we'll check that the expression fits the situation and suggest what to fix.
The check is taking longer than usual. Your feedback will appear here automatically.
take a rain check (on + noun); Can I take a rain check?; I'll have to take a rain check
- Thanks for the invitation, but I'll have to take a rain check on dinner tonight.
- I'm exhausted after the flight. Can I take a rain check on the cinema?
- She took a rain check on the team drinks because she had an exam the next morning.
What changed
First versionI'm really tired tonight. Can I take rain check on the concert?
RevisionI'm really tired tonight. Can I take a rain check on the concert?
Articles are easy to lose in a fixed phrase, but this one always has a: take a rain check, just like take a break. So the corrected version adds a.
Take a rain check postpones a meeting: you want to come, just later. If you are refusing completely and don't plan to reschedule, that is turn down: She turned down the invitation to the conference.
Your turn
I'd love to come to your barbecue, but I'm working on Saturday. Can I ___? Maybe next weekend?
Show the answer
take a rain check — The speaker can't come on Saturday and immediately suggests another weekend, so they are postponing: take a rain check. Take a hint means to understand a hint, and nobody is hinting at anything here.
You have been invited to meet up, but you can't make it. Write a polite reply: explain why and suggest another day.
Sorry, I have to finish my essay tonight, so can I take a rain check? How about Thursday evening?
Learn to use new words without mistakes
Write phrases with the words you are learning. LetsWords shows mistakes in usage and grammar, suggests corrections and explains them, and review helps the words stick.