streaky
adj/ˈstɹiːki/
Etymology From streak + -y.
1
Having streaks.
2
Ball games, Cricket, Games, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports Used to describe a shot where the ball deflects off the edge of the bat, but is not caught by the slips or wicket-keeper and instead results in runs for the batsman.
- Although the two added thirteen important runs, including four byes let through by Mongia and a streaky outside edge cum late-cut by Pollock for four, one didn't need to be blessed with gifts of insight to realise that Pollock's days at the crease were numbered.2001, Luke Alfred, Lifting the Covers: Inside South African Cricket:
- ...rather than hitting it with the middle of the bat, I jagged it off the inside edge and French-cut it over the top of the stumps for another four. That was the only streaky shot I can remember.2005, Michael Slater, Slats: The Michael Slater Story:
1 more example
- Compton troubled Bradman with his Chinaman, and one streaky shot was edged past Crapp at slips.2011, Roland Perry, Bradman's Invincibles: The Inside Story of the Epic 1948 Ashes Tour:
3
Unpredictable, variable; having periods of good and bad (e.g. weather).
- […] to do his duty in the face of uncommonly streaky weather like a man.1870, Baily's Magazine of Sports and Pastimes, volume 17, page 34:
- [Nebraska] has a reputation for streaky weather, long stretches of drouth and long seasons of rain.1901, National Stockman and Farmer, volume 25, page 16:
1 more example
- It was one of those streaky days you often find at the end of a Kerry winter, with little spurts of cold rain and puffs of chilling wind and now and then glimpses of weak sunshine., George Bartram, The White-headed Boy, page 204
4
Canada, US, Usually, In particular, Of a person Having alternating periods of good and bad performances; inconsistent.
- Jones has always been a streaky hitter
6
Ball games, Games, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Soccer, Sports Not well-executed, due to luck more than skill.
- Two goals from Alexis Sánchez, the second a little streakier than the first, were enough to send Arsenal into a second successive FA Cup final, once again following extra time after being held over 90 minutes by a Championship side.2015 April 18, Paul Wilson, The Guardian:
- Derived terms
- streakily, streakiness, streaky bacon