outswing

Meanings

1. 1nouncountablesport

   In cricket, a ball that curves in the air away from the batter, toward the off side.

   Grammar: A delivery type: he bowled a beautiful outswing.

   Patterns

   • bowl an outswing
   • an outswing to the right-hander

   The bowler produced a late outswing that beat the batter's bat.

   He bowled an outswing and the ball clipped the edge.

   The outswing was hard to play in the cloudy conditions.

2. 2noununcountabletechnical

   The movement of something outward, such as a door or a gate that opens away from you.

   Grammar: Often used as a modifier: an outswing door.

   Patterns

   • an outswing door

   The shop has an outswing door that opens onto the pavement.

   The outswing of the gate nearly hit a passer-by.

   Fire exits usually use an outswing design for easy escape.

Word forms

Common combinations

late outswing

A late outswing fooled the opening batter.

bowl an outswing

He can bowl an outswing at high speed.

outswing bowler

The outswing bowler took four wickets.

outswing door

The hospital installed an outswing door at the entrance.

a natural outswing

She has a natural outswing and rarely needs to change her grip.

Synonyms and how they differ

away swing

Away swing is the plain description of the same delivery, while outswing is the usual technical term.

swing

Swing is general and can mean either direction, whereas outswing specifies movement away from the batter.

outcurve

Outcurve is a more general word for a curving path, and is not tied to cricket.

Opposites

Word family

swing verb

to move back and forth or in a curve

swing noun

a curving or swaying movement

outswinger noun

another word for an outswing delivery

inswing noun

a ball that curves toward the batter

Commonly confused: outswing or inswing?

Practice

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