box score

1. In sports, especially baseball or basketball, a record that breaks down the scores, players, and statistics of two teams in a given game. Primarily heard in US. Make sure you get your hands on the box score after the game—it will help you write a much better article than relying on memory alone. A: "Which pitcher got the W last night?" B: "Hmm, I'm not sure. Let me check the box score." According to the box score, he made three errors last night. Yikes.

2. By extension, a thorough and detailed rundown of an event, action, or situation. Primarily heard in US. My boss asked me to prepare a box score for our earnings this quarter. Please give me a box score of what was discussed at the board meeting yesterday. If you're going to attend as my proxy, I'll need a box score when you get back, OK? You need to keep me apprised of everything the committee discusses.

3. military slang A record of the number of dead, wounded, or missing soldiers at a given point in time. Primarily heard in US. The box score over the past month shows that we experiencing less casualties than this time last year. The box score is grim, gentlemen. The situation overseas is rapidly declining. It's really hard to look at the box score and then go into battle knowing just how many of our men we've already lost.

1. A detailed summary of actions or an event, as in The President wanted to base his reelection campaign on his box score. The term comes from baseball, where since about 1910 it has signified a statistical summary in table form of the essential details of a game. About 1930 it began to be used figuratively, especially by politicians referring to their own record while in office.

2. In military slang, the number of dead, wounded, or missing in action. For example, Never mind the details of the battle; just give the lieutenant the box score. [c. 1950]