Take a rain check

Meaning

Postpone politely with hope of later fulfillment.

Usage

Used when declining invitations gracefully.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Sporting events issuing vouchers when games rained out.

Used widely in North America since the 19th century.