Idiom: Right off the bat – Immediately, Instantly, Without Hesitation
Context #1
Tanya: Hi, Suzy. What’s wrong?
Suzy: Oh, hi Tanya. I’m so disappointed in my new apartment.
Tanya: What do you mean?
Suzy: Well, I was told that is was a fully furnished, new apartment, but I noticed that the heated floors and the electric fireplace are not turned on yet. It’s just really upsetting.
Tanya: Are you serious? Suzy, it’s September and still hot outside. You don’t even need those things yet. Besides, you can’t expect everything to be ready right off the bat. It’s a new apartment and they are still finishing things off.
Suzy: I guess you’re right. It’s just that I paid a lot of money for that apartment, so is it too much to ask for things to be done right off the bat?
Tanya: I see your point.
Context #2
Sam: Hey, Patricia. You look like you are in pain. What happened?
Patricia: Oh, I just went to my first bicycle lesson yesterday. I fell off the bike and crashed right off the bat.
Sam: Bicycle lesson? Do they actually have those types of lessons? Didn’t you learn how to ride a bike when you were a child?
Patricia: No, Sam, I didn’t! I know it’s strange, but I never learned and it’s super scary for me, especially since I hurt myself yesterday.
Sam: I learned right off the bat when I was six years old. It’s so easy.
Patricia: Well, good for you, Sam. It’s easy for children to learn, but for adults, it is more challenging.
Sam: I guess you are right. Good luck and be careful!
Meaning: “Right off the bat” means instantly or without hesitation. In context 1, Suzy expected everything in her expensive new apartment to be ready instantly or right off the bat. In context 2, Patricia doesn’t know how to ride a bike, and when she tried, she fell off the bike right off the bat. Sam responded that as a child, he learned right off the bat.
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