squeeze play

English

Alternative forms

• squeeze-play

Noun

squeeze play (plural squeeze plays)

1. (baseball) The tactic of bunting the ball to help a runner at third base score. [1905]

   The squeeze play is on! Jones bunts, and Smith scores from third.

2. (figuratively) An instance of 'squeezing' someone: a use of pressure or force to achieve one's goal. [1916]
3. (bridge) The tactic of running a suit to compel another player to waste potentially winning cards. [1926]

   Squeeze play is an important part of the endgame.

4. (poker) The tactic of reraising a raiser and a caller to compel one or both to fold, often as a bluff.

Synonyms

• (all): squeeze

Related terms

• (baseball): safety squeeze, suicide squeeze

References

• “squeeze play, n.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1984.