rain-off

rain off

1. verb To delay, postpone, or cancel something because of rain. Usually used in passive constructions. I was really looking forward to the baseball game this weekend, but it was rained off at the last minute. We've been trying to get this roadwork done for a while, but the weather keeps raining it off.
2. noun An event or activity that has been delayed, postponed, or canceled because of rain. Often spelled with a hyphen. Spectators are to be aware that there will be no refunds issued in the event of a rain-off. The whole event was a rain off in the end, which was a major disappointment to the whole team who'd worked so hard setting it up.
See also: off, rain

rain-off

An event that has been or will be canceled due to inclement weather. Primarily heard in UK. Spectators are to be aware that there will be no refunds issued in the event of a rain-off. I was really looking forward to the football match this weekend, but it turned out to be a rain-off.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • perceive
  • perceive (someone or something) as (something)
  • perceive as
  • preclude
  • preclude (someone or something) from (something)
  • preclude from
  • starve (someone or something) of (something)
  • starve of
  • sandwich (someone or something) between (someone or something else)
  • sandwich between
References in periodicals archive
"An innocent mistake was made when the rain-off date was selected, and we didn't realise the mix-up until we saw the press release.
Storm have a neutral port for final showdown; Turnaround time too tight
BERWICK Bandits suffered yet another away rain-off last night at the Redcar Bears, but at least it gave them the chance to set off on the long haul south to Plymouth Devils to be fresh for the Premier League match at the St.
Bandits foiled; SPORT SHORTS SPEEDWAY
Cranmer - who had 108 wickets in his two seasons at the club and almost 700 runs last term - has been drafted back in after the club's slow start to the season, although Swaine moved off the bottom thanks to Saturday's home win against Elland and Monday's rain-off over at Delph & Dobcross, when they were well in charge.
Cranmer back in action at Swaine
Newcastle team manager George English said: "Any rain-off is always disappointing and this one means we will be setting a target on Sunday Our biggest home win last year ( when we were really struggling ( was against the Stars, 57-39, so I will be looking for a lead of at least 20 points."
Diamonds Saddled with a Cup washout
Every time we get a rain-off it costs us pounds 2000 because we still have bills and travelling expenses for our opponents.
Cash-strapped Tigers may fold
It was the Diamonds' sixth consecutive rain-off in 12 days, spread across five different tracks.
Diamonds are rained off again
The postponement comes on top of Monday's rain-off at Wolverhampton for the Buildbase Bees and means that 19-year-old German recruit Martin Smolinski has to wait until tomorrow night's double-header at Swindon - weather permitting - to make his debut for the Brandon outfit.
SPEEDWAY: Bees are washed out again
Still hanging on to second place in Division Two, despite losing at Essex a fortnight ago and last week's rain-off at Lord's, a win for Graeme Hick's men would take them a comfortable eight points clear of fourth-placed Hampshire.
Pears can improve prospects; NATIONAL LEAGUE
"There's not much worse than a rain-off when you're a speedway rider," said Parkinson-Blackburn.
Jack's sights on maximum return again; SPEEDWAY
But, while the weather will once again probably have the final say, the forecast for tomorrow's Division One showdown with Kent is a lot brighter - and a rain-off would send Worcestershire down.
Worcestershire call Illingworth for last big role
He said: "We haven't had a single rain-off this season, which is amazing, and I've been in this sport a long time.
Brum hoping Cov will rise to the challenge
Said Drury: "At this level you always have to remain positive and while it's been a frustrating start because of the amount of rain-offs there's still plenty that's encouraged me and I think we're in for another great season.
Drury backs Brummies to play catch-up
He said after that meeting that his team had suffered after being unable to build up their confidence on the track due to the large number of recent rain-offs.
Injured Wilko gets all clear to ride; Speedway
Nobody could have predicted five successive rain-offs."
Baseball: Bulldogs thrown a curveball by continuing soggy summer
The 16-year-old has been frustrated by three home rain-offs out of four for Birmingham, including yesterday's scheduled home clash with Stoke.
Jack is not letting postponements rain on his parade; speedway