pickoff

1 of 2

noun

pick·​off ˈpik-ˌȯf 

: a baseball play in which a base runner is picked off

pick off

2 of 2

verb

picked off; picking off; picks off

transitive verb

1

: to shoot or bring down especially one by one

2

: to put out (a base runner who is off base) with a quick throw (as from the pitcher or catcher)

3

: intercept

picked off a pass

Synonyms

Verb

• block
• intercept
• interdict

Examples of pickoff in a Sentence

Noun

He made a pickoff throw to third base.

Verb

picked off more passes than any other player in the division

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

With the game slowly reverting to more running since the use of larger bases and limiting the number of pickoff throws, a catcher controlling opponents on the base paths becomes even more important. —Chuck Murr, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024

During their pre-series meeting ahead of the 2022 World Series rematch, the Astros noticed certain tendencies the Philadelphia Phillies demonstrated on pickoff throws. —Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 28 Aug. 2024

Verb

Rohan Nadkarni Oh no! One play after a Steelers touchdown was wiped out because of a holding penalty, Russell Wilson threw into triple coverage in the end zone and was picked off. —Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 25 Dec. 2024

In the fourth quarter, Pittsburgh had a chance for a comeback but Ravens corner Marlon Humphrey picked off Russell Wilson to crush any momentum Pittsburgh tried to muster up. Baltimore will face the Houston Texans on Christmas and host the Cleveland Browns to end the regular season. —Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic, 21 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1911, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1810, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

pick off

verb

1

: to shoot or bring down one by one or with a single shot

2

: to put out (a base runner who is off base) with a quick throw