Please explain the following expressions
He told me to take a hike.
But he has no reason to make a song and dance about it.
It has brought him down a peg or two
Can I take a rain check on it?
sanjay
Expert
3 answers 
Courtney should have said "rain check" is used by the retail industry.
The idiom developed in America during the 1880s and stems from the game of baseball. Baseball is not played in the rain. In the event of rain, fans were left having paid for tickets but without a game to see. So a portion of the ticket stub came to be labeled "rain check". Having a "rain check" from a rained out game allowed the fan to attend a future game instead.
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answered May 22 '12 at 03:48
Jeff Pribyl
Grammarly Fellow
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Thank you for your wonderful explanation.
add commentTake a hike: leave quickly.
Make a song and dance about it: make a minor situation seem overly important.
Brought him down a peg or two: humbled him.
Taking a rain check: delaying for a later time.
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answered May 21 '12 at 18:59
Jonathon VS
New member
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Thanks a lot.
add comment"take a hike" - Leave quickly, the same as "get lost."
"make a song and dance about it" - To make something seem more important than it is.
"bring down a peg or two" - The make humble or to teach an overly proud person a lesson.
"taking a rain check" - To hold off something for the future. Comes from the retail industry's term which means to purchase an item which is not in stock, particularly if it is a popular item. That way, when the item comes, the store will hold it for the customer to pick up.
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edited May 21 '12 at 22:40
Courtney
Contributor
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Rain check comes from baseball (1880s) and was later adopted by the retail industry.
Thank you very much.
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