Definition

1. Noun:

   • An illegal pitching motion in baseball: In baseball, a "balk" is an illegal motion by the pitcher when there are runners on base, resulting in the runners advancing.
   • A large beam: A "balk" is a large, heavy piece of timber, often used as a supporting beam in a roof or floor.
   • A hindrance or obstacle: A "balk" is something that stops or hinders progress.
   • A marked area on a billiard table: In billiards or snooker, the "balk" is the area of the table behind a specific line from which a player must shoot under certain rules.

2. Verb:

   • To refuse to proceed or act: To "balk" means to stop and refuse to go on, often due to fear, reluctance, or opposition.
   • To hinder or thwart: To "balk" can mean to prevent someone from achieving something or to stop progress.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The pitcher was called for a balk, allowing the runner to score. (The illegal pitch allowed the runner to advance.)
  • The old barn's roof was supported by massive wooden balks. (The large beams held up the roof.)
  • His stubbornness was a major balk to the project's success. (His attitude was a significant obstacle.)
  • The cue ball must be placed within the balk for this shot. (The shot must be taken from the designated area.)

• Verb:

  • The horse balked at jumping over the high fence. (The horse refused to jump.)
  • She balked at the idea of working on the weekend. (She strongly resisted the suggestion.)
  • The sudden rainstorm balked our plans for a picnic. (The storm thwarted our plans.)

Advanced Usage

• "To balk at something": To show unwillingness or strong opposition to doing or accepting something.

  • Investors balked at the high price of the company's stock. (Investors were unwilling to pay the high price.)

• "To be balked of/from something": (Formal/Literary) To be prevented from achieving something.

  • He was balked of victory by a last-minute penalty. (A penalty prevented him from winning.)

Variants and Related Words

• Baulk (noun/verb): A chiefly British spelling variant of "balk."

  • He baulked at the suggestion. (He refused the suggestion.)

• Balky (adjective): Describing something or someone that is likely to stop and refuse to go on.

  • The balky engine finally started after several tries. (The stubborn engine eventually started.)

Synonyms

• Noun (obstacle): Hindrance, impediment, obstruction, barrier.
• Verb (refuse): Hesitate, recoil, jib, demur, resist.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Balk" is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its meaning is typically expressed as "balk at.")

Related Idioms

• "To balk at the bit": (Derived from equestrianism) To be impatient to start or proceed. This is related to but distinct from the verb's meaning of refusal.
  • The team was balking at the bit to begin the new project. (The team was eager to start.)

Noun

1. an illegal pitching motion while runners are on base
2. one of several parallel sloping beams that support a roof
3. something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
4. the area on a billiard table behind the balkline
   • a player with ball in hand must play from the balk

Verb

1. refuse to comply