1(in limited-overs cricket) an opportunity to strike the ball without the possibility of being bowled or caught out, following a no-ball.
the six came off a free hit after Gough had no-balled
Example sentencesExamples
Four catches went begging and Kirby bowled three no-balls which resulted in free hits.
No-balls in the 20-over innings are worth two runs and are further punished with a free hit from the next delivery.
They were accurate in every area, they didn't give us free hits while batting.
Jones and Trescothick gave them a good start, with Jones taking on the bowlers after he was reprieved when caught off a free hit following a no-ball from Lee.
No-balls are punished with a "free hit", from which the batsman can only be run out.
1.1(in field hockey) a penalty hit awarded for a foul committed outside the goal area.
a quickly taken free hit by the home team was excellently converted
Example sentencesExamples
A Lauren Grant free hit found Sophie Worsman on the post to deflect in for the first goal.
He was flawless in the execution of free hits which were angled perfectly to create the opening for the attack.
Roberts-Lang scored New Zealand's third goal when a free hit rebounded from a goalpost to her.
Superb defending of free hits and interception of passes in midfield had the Naas ladies on the attack for most of the game.
With continued pressure, Daten soon secured a free hit outside the area which was swiftly taken by centre half Helen Moffat.
1.2British An easy opportunity to gain an advantage over a rival or opponent.
the Government's intervention also allowed a free hit for the Conservatives
Example sentencesExamples
People do know in the European Parliament elections they can have a free hit - a vote that doesn't have the consequence of bringing in the wrong government.
But a protest vote tomorrow will be no free hit.
The Labour Party conference, when managed with the presentational skills of New Labour, provides a series of free hits for the party.
The more switched on and capable schools thus regard these AS-levels as a "free hit" - a relatively easy way of boosting a pupil's qualifications.
MPs were using parliamentary privilege for a free hit on opponents.
General elections aren't a free hit, they have real consequences on who is governing your country for the next five years.
The Government has now decided to take free hits at the ACT party.
A party figure admitted the referendum looked difficult to win, with the general election results suggesting a willingness to take a free hit against an incumbent government.
By protecting his sources he is just giving the left and the media free hits.
These mid term elections are regarded by many voters as a free hit which allows them to punish a governing party without driving it out of power nationally.
Definition of free hit in US English:
free hit
noun
(in field hockey) a penalty hit awarded for a foul committed outside the goal area.
a quickly taken free hit by the home team was excellently converted
Example sentencesExamples
A Lauren Grant free hit found Sophie Worsman on the post to deflect in for the first goal.
Superb defending of free hits and interception of passes in midfield had the Naas ladies on the attack for most of the game.
Roberts-Lang scored New Zealand's third goal when a free hit rebounded from a goalpost to her.
He was flawless in the execution of free hits which were angled perfectly to create the opening for the attack.
With continued pressure, Daten soon secured a free hit outside the area which was swiftly taken by centre half Helen Moffat.