rally
RAL-ee
/ˈræli/
A sequence of back-and-forth shots between players before a point is won.
A rally implies a sustained exchange, often testing the consistency and patience of both players.
The story behind the word. 'Rally' traces back to the French 'rallier,' which means to bring together again. It originally described soldiers regrouping on a battlefield before it was applied to the rhythmic regrouping of players in a sports exchange.
Word relationships
- exchange: 'Exchange' is more generic, while 'rally' specifically implies the competitive back-and-forth of the ball.
- ace: An ace ends the point immediately, preventing a rally from occurring.
Commonly confused with
- volley: A volley is a specific type of shot, whereas a rally is the entire sequence of shots.
Word family
- rallied (verb): Past tense of engaging in a rally or recovering strength.
Collocations
- long rally
- baseline rally
- sustained rally
Idioms & expressions
- rally the troops
Example sentences
- "The longest rally in the match lasted for 45 strokes, leaving both players breathless." Sports journalism
- "A rally is a conversation between two players, each trying to have the last word." General description
Memory hook
'Rally' sounds like 'really' long—imagine a 'really' long exchange of shots. Back and forth, back and forth.
When not to use
Avoid using 'rally' for a single shot; it must involve at least two hits.
Fun facts
- The longest tennis rally on record lasted 29,494 strokes and took over 15 hours.
Explore more words
muster, recuperate, unite, revitalize, counteroffensive, ally
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