Rain Check/Cheque ?

[allybally8]

what does this mean and where did it come from

[andy-hughes]

The phrase dates back to nineteenth century America where baseball was played in areas with usually good weather. In the unlikely event of the game being cancelled because of rain, the stadium would give each customer a 'rain check' which would entitle them to free admission when the game was re-played.

It has passed into modern useage as an expression to request a temporary postponement and an indication of intent to meet another time - "I can't do lunch on Monday, can I take a rain check?"