The phrase is used to tell someone that you cannot accept their invitation now, but would like to do so at a later time. It was first used when baseball games were rained out and fans were issued vouchers that allowed them to return and watch another game.

Here’s an example of it’s usage: Mind if I take a rain check on that drink? I’ve got to work late tonight.

Take A Rain Check Origin

Its a cliche similar to an “I.O.U.” To “take a rain check” means that you will have to post pone the date of something. For example: Say you and someone made plans to do something but one of you couldn’t be there because something came up. But you really want to do this something with this person on a later date. Then you’d say “I unable to make it this time, but I’ll take a rain check.” An acutal rain check is a piece of paper that gaurentees you the sale price of an item that is currently out of stock and wont be delivered until after the end sale date. But the first rain checks were given out when a baseball game would be rained out.

Rain Check

A promise or commitment by a seller to a buyer that an item currently out of stock can be purchased at a later date for today’s sale price.

The term originated from baseball spectators at games that were postponed because of rain would receive a check that could be used to attend a future game.