play-by-play

A radio announcer gives a play-by-play of the baseball game.

Definition

Noun: A detailed, moment-by-moment description or commentary of an event, especially a sports match, as it unfolds.

Usage Examples

• (A continuous, live commentary of the game's events.)
• (A detailed narration of the action.)

Advanced Usage

• "a play-by-play account": A thorough, sequential report of an event.

  • She provided a play-by-play account of the meeting to her colleague. (She described every step of the meeting in order.)

• "to give someone the play-by-play": To narrate or explain events as they happen.

  • Text me the play-by-play of the concert! (Send me updates about each part of the concert.)

Variants and Related Words

• Play-by-play announcer (n): A commentator who describes sports events live.
  • The play-by-play announcer kept the audience engaged with his energetic voice. (The commentator who narrates the game in real time.)

Synonyms

• Commentary: A spoken description of an event.
• Narration: The act of telling a story or describing events.
• Live report: An ongoing account of an unfolding situation.

Related Idioms

• Call the plays: To direct or describe the actions in a game or sequence.
  • The coach calls the plays, but the announcer gives the play-by-play. (The coach decides the strategy; the announcer describes the execution.)