What Does “Pitch In,” Mean? When To Use It In A Sentence

To ‘pitch in’ is a phrase that infers that one needs to join an effort to assist someone or something. The act of being helpful as part of a group.

“Pitch in,” is an idiom of English that is used to encourage or demand a joint action that is helpful in completion of a task or reaching a set goal. We can use “pitch in” when speaking of someone’s contribution to achieve a common goal.

There are many important things to be considered in moving forward in life, but there are times when the completion of a task, or the reaching of a goal requires the assistance of others. It is important to reflect on where we are going or what an outcome might be based on our decisions. In these cases it is important for us to, ‘pitch in,’ to move all concerned forward.

What Does, ‘Pitching In,’Look Like?

Nearly all of us at one moment or another, have tried unsuccessfully to complete a task, or arrive at a destination. While we would like to believe we are in control of our lives, we are continuously bombarded by setbacks and challenges, that without help, are impossible to surmount. The implication being, that at any moment, we need someone to ‘pitch in,’ and assist us! On the other hand, we can expect that we will be called to help in the same manner.

In its simplest form, the relatively new idiom, or a form of an expression that is natural in a language, of,’pitch in,’ quite literally means, to join in to assist. ‘Pitching in,’ also means that you will be part of a group effort to accomplish an end result. You may be called on to join in the effort to assist, or through your own observations, you may on your own accord volunteer to assist.

Let’s now have a more detailed examination of this phrase, and its use in our relationships.

Understanding The Idiom, “Pitch In,” And Its Implications In Relationships With Others When Used

The phrase to ‘pitch in,’ is a relatively recent idiom of English used to describe the need for us to join into a effort as an assist to reach a goal. The phrase implies a sequence of events including, the direction or decision to lend assistance, the process of resolving the effort to achieve the goal, and finally, the completion or not of the intended joint effort.

In order to understand this process, we must first look at these factors, and relate them historically to, ‘pitching in,’ events, some of which have had true historical significance.

It has often been said that the conduct of gentlemen and gentlewomen is a virtue found in few of us. Our modern day isolatory and independent lives leave us somewhat disconnected from others. The time of living in harmony with neighbors and friends, helping them when needed, is something of the past these days. But there are times in our day that demand that we require the assistance of others. Here lays the importance of the idiom, ‘pitching in.’

The direction or need to, ‘pitch in,’ can come to us from many sources. Our partner, coworker, rescue worker, or boss, at any moment can make this demand of us. In each of these situations, there is an identified need for a joint effort to attain an identified goal. Our partner may need help to complete the planning for a social event. Our family may need to work together to clean the house so they can get to the movie theater on time. Rescue workers in the process of saving someone’s life, may command us to, ‘pitch in!’ Bosses often encourage a team approach to work, where, ‘pitching in,’ can resolve tasks faster and with higher quality.

This idiom is almost always used as it relates to the dis positioning of a process of some kind. In life, control over outcome can be elusive, based on our society’s structure. It is normal for major changes and processes of change to require the assistance of others. It is this need to work with others and their systems that at times has us,’pitch in,’. If for example, we have a limited amount of time to move from one office space to another, it may be helpful to solicit the help of our fellow office workers to aid in the move. It is clear that many hands make lighter work, so we pitch in.

‘Pitching in,’ has both a beginning and an end to the process. Whenever we embark on a joint effort, it normally lasts only a finite time. For example, if our car will not start with its own ignition system, we may have to ask people to, ‘pitch in,’ and give the car a push. The joint venture ends when either the car starts and we drive away, or it doesn’t start and the joint push ends in favor of the tow truck.

The only time that sitting to await an outcome can be difficult for us is when it challenges our level of patience. In the end, the outcome of a joint effort dictates whether more joint response is necessary. Of course the outcome is only part of the solution, the patience and resolve of those we have solicited to pitch in is also a factor. One can only expect others to, ‘pitch in,’ to a point. Because ‘pitching in’ is an act of volunteerism, one can only expect that at some point the limit of those involved will be reached. After the limits have been reached, it may be assistance paid by the hour.

Historical Significance of the Idiom, “Pitch In”

History has many examples of joint efforts to attain a desired outcome, but the first time the idiom, ‘pitching in,’ was used was at the beginning of the eighteenth century. While the inception of the idiom remains unclear, it is most associated with farming and particularly at harvest time. It is thought that during the harvest, the farmers take off the hay for storage during the winter months as a food source for their livestock. This very labour intensive activity of lifting the hay to wagons, or pitching hay, was normally a volunteer joint effort involving all the nearby farm families. Over the many years of this idiom’s use, it has become generalized as a command or declaration to join in to help. During the nineteen hundreds, the phrase was coined about in sports, particularly baseball, representing the ball being, ‘pitched in’ to assist in the joint effort of the team to win the game.

Human history is filled with such examples of,’pitching in.’ Ranging from the mundane processes of day to day living; ‘pitching in,’ to help your older neighbor remove the fallen leaves in autumn, to important world events; like women in the Second World War working as riveters in hidden factories to produce bombers for the airforce. These women volunteered to join the war effort by, ‘pitching in’ their labour.

‘Pitching In,’ at Work

While watching the joint sessions in the congress of the United States of America we have all seen the words emblazoned in gold over the speaker’s chair that states, ‘In Union There is Strength.’ Simply put, when we undertake anything as a united or joint effort, the outcome is much stronger and meaningful than when we undertake things alone.

As early as the advent of the assembly line method of manufacturing in the nineteen hundreds, the companies began to see that working alone, putting the same piece in place all day, rendered poor quality results. In time manufacturers who were interested in a quality product, began to put all the parts of the assembly together so the workers’ efforts in concert would render a fine product that everyone involved was able to see.

How Important Is ‘Pitching In?’

This is a difficult variable to predict, depending on the individuals or groups involved and what process we are waiting on to be resolved. It is clear however, that pitching in is at times essential in our lives in order to move forward or past a particular event. This being the case, we must remember that what we put into life, we receive back. The more effort we put into, ‘pitching in,’ the more help we will receive when we have a need for a joint effort.

Additional English Idioms

• Find Your Feet
• Fit as a Fiddle
• Food For Thought

Conclusion

When can we coin the phrase, “pitch in?” The great hope is that when the time comes, as it does for all of us, to receive joint assistance from the benevolent people in our lives, that we are able to be good stewards of the help. Good stewardship is in the reciprocity of returning the assistance to those that give when the opportunity arrives. We are wise to put into the joint efforts of others as they put into us. It is entirely possible that what you receive is much more than you initially, ‘pitched in.