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Glite Dictionary
pop-fly

pop-fly

5.7
A ball hit high into the air near home plate that is easy to catch
  • noun
  • /ˈpɑpˌflaɪ/
  • Jargon
translation icon : globo
  • In the last inning, he hit a towering pop-fly that landed safely in the outfield.

Examples

  • During the summer, your average ballfield attracts its share of insects (not to mention a few pop flies).

    Fiction book (1997)

  • The batter hit a pop-fly that was caught easily by the shortstop.

  • When the pitcher threw a curveball, the batter responded with a weak pop-fly to the catcher.

Synonyms

fly
vspop-fly
  • Jargon
50 5.4

A ball hit high into the air in baseball

adds that the hit stays close to home and is easy to catch
fly ball
vspop-fly
  • Specialized
16 3.1

A ball hit high into the air in baseball

specifies a high hit that also stays near home and is easy to catch
pop fly
vspop-fly
  • Jargon
3 5.8

A high ball hit in baseball or softball that is easy to catch

emphasises proximity to home plate rather than long distance
pop-up
vspop-fly
  • Jargon
1 3.6

A high fly ball that is easy for fielders to catch

means a high hit that does not travel far and is easy to catch
popup
vspop-fly
  • Jargon
1 4.2

A short high ball hit into the air that a fielder can easily catch

focuses on being hit high yet staying near home plate and catchable

Antonyms

ground ball
  • Jargon
12 3.4

In baseball, a ball hit so it rolls or bounces on the ground

How High

fly ball
  • Specialized
16 3.1
pop-fly
  • Jargon
5.7
line drive
  • US
12 4.2
ground ball
  • Jargon
12 3.4

Surface Forms

pop-fly singular
pop-flies plural

Morphology

pop-fly = pop + fly (semi-transparent) = pop + fly

The parts 'pop' and 'fly' are recognisable, but the compound denotes a baseball-specific action (a ball 'popped' up) that may not be fully predictable for general learners.

Etymology

Pop-fly comes from two simple English words: pop, meaning a short, sudden 'pop' or 'to pop up', and fly, meaning 'to move high in the air'. So a pop-fly is a ball that 'pops up' and 'flies' only a short distance, which is why it is easy to catch.