knock the cover off the ball

[Big Jim]

Hi friends,

from an article in the Intl Herald Tribune :
"More than any of its peers, Exxon knocked the cover off the ball with its long, disciplined view of global projects"
I do not see clearly what does this expression "to knock the cover off the ball" mean. Could someone help ? Thank you

Big Jim

 

[Aupick]

I believe it's a baseball analogy: Exxon (the batter) hit the ball so hard the cover (outer layer) of the ball came off. It was a really powerful shot, no doubt leading to a home run. So the phrase suggests that Exxon has played masterfully in the oil industry.

(I'm sure someone who knows something about baseball can explain it better than I can.)

 

[cacestleme]

Knock the cover off the ball -- to succeed beyond expectation
Baseball Slang
from : Wikipedia

Jean-Luc
Belgium

 

[Big Jim]

Dear friends,

I do not know much about baseball but now I can Imagine that Exxon performed an excellent "home run" during its financial year.
Thanks to both of you.

Big Jim

 

[cacestleme]

My pleasure...

Jean-Luc

 

[nopal]

Cliché: Knock the cover off the ball Cliché: Knock the cover off the ball Explanation: 1. Hit a ball really hard like hitting a baseball.
2. In business, doing much better than expected, like beating financial estimates. Country: United States Origin: http://www.clichesite.com/images/cleargif.gif
Related Clichés
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