Idiom: have two strikes against one

[Haihao]

Hi,

Could you please tell me if 'have two strikes against one' implies:

Receiving two strikes against one (2:1) = beaten two times among three,

So, it suggests that the party having two strikes is under a disadvantageous situation.

Could I think it this way? Thank you.

Haihao

[Jamie (K)]

Okay, you're in Japan. You should know this. It's baseball.

The pitcher throws the ball to the batter. The batter misses. Strike one!
The pitcher throws the ball again. It's a fair pitch. The batter misses again. Strike two!
If the batter misses again, it's strike three, and he's out of the game for that inning. So, if the batter has two strikes against him, he can make only one more mistake before he completely fails.

If an ordinary person has two strikes against him, it usually means that all the conditions for failure are there, except for one more big mistake, which it's up to him to make or avoid.

I could say a student in one of my classes has two strikes against her. She was born poor, and her mother started using heroin and causing all kinds of problems for the family. The girl missed most of her elementary education because of these problems, so she's starting adulthood with a great disadvantage. She has two strikes against her. Strike three is up to her. If she commits a crime herself, or does nothing to improve her life, that's strike three, and she's out of the game (of life). However, she may live a good disciplined life, make up for the education she's lost, get a good job and have a good marriage, and then we'd say she's hit a home run.

By the way, some states in the US also have "three strikes laws". This means that if someone commits two felonies, on the third offense he gets life in prison. "Three strikes and you're out."

[Haihao]

Oh, how wonderful your explanation is! I am sure I got what more than I had expected especially it was from baseball! In fact my family is a kind of fan of Yomiuri Giants (a Japanese team) and Red Sox (where Daisuke Matsuzaka enrolled recently). Also, a family member of mine plays softball. A million thanks again, Jamie.

Haihao

[Mister Micawber]

.
Just to clarify (if necessary):

Your original 'have two strikes against one' = 'have two strikes against a person', Haihao.
.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Haihao]

Oh, yes, Mr. Micawber, your clarification made its variant 'have two strikes against oneself' strike me. But how should I think it in this case?

Thank you for the reminding, Mr. Micawber.

Haihao