/pinch"hit"/ , v.i. , pinch-hit, pinch-hitting .
1. Baseball. to serve as a pinch hitter.
2. Informal. to substitute for someone, esp. in an emergency.
v.t.
3. Baseball. to get, or make (a hit) in pinch-hitting.
[ 1930-35, Amer.; back formation from PINCH HITTER ]