first base

first base
noun
1. the base that must be touched first by a base runner in baseball
Hypernyms: ↑base, ↑bag
2. the fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is stationed at first of the bases in the infield (counting counterclockwise from home plate)
Syn: ↑first
Hypernyms: ↑position
Member Holonyms: ↑baseball team
3. the initial stage in accomplishing something
-

we didn't get to first base with that approach

Hypernyms: ↑first step, ↑initiative, ↑opening move, ↑opening

* * *

second base, third base informal used to refer to progressive levels of sexual intimacy

* * *

noun [singular]
baseball : the base that must be touched first by a base runner

a runner on first base

also : the position of the player who defends the area around first base

She hit a ground ball to first base.

He used to be a catcher, but now he plays first base.

— compare home plate, second base, third base
chiefly US informal : to make the first step in a course or process that you hope will lead further
— usually used in negative statements

Her proposal to change the tax laws never got to first base. [=never had any success at all]

He kept asking her out, but he couldn't even get to first base. [=she would not agree to go on even one date with him]

* * *

ˌfirst ˈbase [first base] noun
(in baseball) the first of the ↑bases that players must touch

He didn't make it past first base.

Idiom: ↑not get to first base

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • first base — noun singular 1. ) in the game of baseball, the first of four places the BATTER must run to after hitting the ball a ) the position played by the person who guards first base 2. ) the first successful step in an attempt to achieve something: get… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • first base — n 1.) a) the first of the four places in a game of baseball that a player must touch before gaining a point b) the position of a defending player near this place ▪ He plays first base for the Red Sox. 2.) get to/reach first base AmE informal …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • first base — ☆ first base n. Baseball 1. the base to the left of the pitcher, the first of the four bases that a base runner attempts to reach safely 2. the defensive position played by the first baseman get to first base Slang to accomplish the first step of …   English World dictionary

  • first base — first′ base′ n. spo baseball a) the first in counterclockwise order of the bases from home plate b) the position of the player covering the area of the infield near first base • get to first base Etymology: 1835–45 …   From formal English to slang

  • first base — noun (C) 1 a) the first of the four places in a game of baseball (1) that a player must touch before gaining a point b) the position of a defending player near this place: He plays first base for the Red Sox. 2 AmE informal the first stage of… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • first base — noun Date: 1845 1. the base that must be touched first by a base runner in baseball 2. the player position for defending the area around first base 3. the first step or stage in a course of action < plans never got to first base > • first baseman …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • first base — 1. Baseball. a. the first in counterclockwise order of the bases from home plate. b. the position of the player covering the area of the infield near first base. 2. get to first base, Informal. a. to succeed in the initial phase of a plan or… …   Universalium

  • first base — {n. phr.} 1. The base that must be touched first by a baseball player after batting. * /He got to first base on four balls./ 2. See: GET TO FIRST BASE …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • first base — {n. phr.} 1. The base that must be touched first by a baseball player after batting. * /He got to first base on four balls./ 2. See: GET TO FIRST BASE …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • first\ base — n. phr. 1. the base that must be touched first by a baseball player after batting. He got to first base on four balls. 2. See: get to first base …   Словарь американских идиом

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