# dying quail

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/dying-quail
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A pop fly which is hit weakly and falls in front of the outfielders.

## Examples

- The batter hit a dying quail into shallow center field.
- The outfielder sprinted forward, but the ball dropped as a dying quail for a base hit.
- With the game on the line, the hitter barely connected, sending a dying quail just over the shortstop's head to drive in the winning run.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.