three strikes and you are out

"Three strikes and you are out" is a phrase commonly used in sports, especially baseball, and also in legal contexts. It refers to a rule where a player or an individual is given three chances or opportunities to succeed or achieve a desired outcome, but if they fail all three times, they are eliminated or disqualified. In sports, specifically baseball, a strike is called when a batter swings and misses the ball or when the ball passes through the strike zone without being swung at. If a batter accumulates three strikes, they are deemed "out" and have to leave the field. In legal contexts, the phrase is often associated with a principle adopted by some jurisdictions that imposes escalating penalties or consequences for repeat offenses. It signifies that after three offenses or criminal convictions, the offender may face more severe punishment or a longer prison sentence, often resulting in a mandatory life sentence without parole.