rain check

noun

Etymology: 1877 US in baseball; metaphorical usage from 1896, more generally from 1930. From at least 1870, baseball teams would reissue tickets in case of postponement due to rain, which became known as rain checks.

1. A reissue, at no extra charge, of a ticket for a baseball game or other outdoor event postponed or interrupted because of rain.

   “With trembling fingers he pulled out his watch. The hands pointed to five minutes to three. A blessed vision came to him of a moist and disappointed crowd receiving rain-checks up at the Polo Grounds.”

   “Feel so bad / Feel like a ball game on a rainy day / Yes, I got my rain check / Shake my head and walk away”

2. An agreement to honor a current offer after its normal expiration.

   “This means that if you go to the store for a half priced $25 turkey, but the turkeys are out, you can get a rain check. With the rain check, when those turkeys arrive again in a week or so, you will get half price, even if the sale is over.”

   “So if you go to CVS to cash in on the Venus Razor BOGO deal and you discover that other shoppers have beat you to it and the shelves are empty, instead of pitching a fit, you can kindly ask a cashier or store manager to give you a rain check. That way, you can return at your leisure and still get the deal while others are back to paying full price.”

3. An agreement to honor a current offer after its normal expiration.

   “[Regarding visiting the Indianapolis, Indiana, chapter of the fraternity Kappa Sigma] […] if in any respect the affair does not suit you—call at the box office and you’ll get your money back or get a rain check, just as you please.”

4. An agreement to honor a current offer after its normal expiration.

   “I can't go with you to the museum this Saturday, but can I take a rain check and go some other day?”

   “I'm on my way somewhere. I got a dinner engagement. Rain check?”