go to bat for (one)

go to bat for (one)

To act in support of one. Since you know the recruiter, do you think you can go to bat for me? I really need this job.See also: bat, go

go to bat for someone

Fig. to support or help someone. I tried to go to bat for Bill, but he said he didn't want any help. I heard them gossiping about Sally, so I went to bat for her.See also: bat, go

go to bat for

Take the side of, support, defend. For example, Dad will always go to bat for his kids. This term originated in baseball, where it means simply substituting for another batter, but it is the idea of helping one's team in this way that has been transferred to more general use. [Slang; early 1900s] See also: bat, go

go to bat for someone

or

go in to bat for someone

mainly AMERICANIf you go to bat for someone, you give them your support or help. She was just fabulous in going to bat for me, in not being judgmental, and helping me work it out. I wasn't ashamed to go in to bat for Matt. I had faith his acting talent would justify it. Note: This expression refers to a baseball player who joins in the game and takes the place of another batter. See also: bat, go, someone

go to ˈbat for somebody

(American English, informal) give somebody help and support: Nursing students are going to go to bat for the homeless.See also: bat, go, somebody

go to bat for

To give assistance to; defend.See also: bat, go