Balk Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of BALK

[no object]

1

:

to suddenly show that you do not want to do something

:

to refuse to do what someone else wants you to do

• If this witness balks [=refuses to cooperate in court], our lawyers will not have enough evidence to win the case.

— often + at

• The public balked at the President's new tax plan.
• He balks at sending his children to expensive private schools. [=he won't send his children to expensive private schools]

2

a

of a horse, mule, etc.

:

to stop quickly and refuse to continue going

• The horse balked and would not jump the fence.

b

of an engine

:

to fail to work in the usual or expected way

• I turned the key, but the car's engine balked. [=refused to start]

3

baseball, of a pitcher

:

to stop suddenly after starting to throw a pitch

:

to commit a balk

• The runner on third base tried to make the pitcher balk.

Britannica Dictionary definition of BALK

:

an occurrence in which a pitcher stops suddenly or makes an illegal movement after starting to throw a pitch

• He committed a balk.

◊ A pitcher can only commit a balk if there is a runner on first base, second base, or third base. When a balk occurs, the runner is allowed to go to the next base.