Definition of the word serve out

The origin of the phrase "serve out" can be traced back to the sport of tennis. In traditional scoring, a game is won when a player wins four points, but only if the player has won at least two points more than their opponent. The game is "deuce" (4-4) until a player gains a two-point advantage, at which point the game is won. In tennis, when a player has only one more point to win in order to win a game, they say they are "serving out" the game. This expression comes from the fact that when a player has one more point to win, they serve the ball into play. The phrase "serve out" has since been adopted in other sports, such as basketball, volleyball, and handball, to describe a situation where a player or team needs one more point to win a game or set. The phrase "serve out" differs from "serve to win," which is used when a player is serving to gain a two-point advantage in a game that is already tied at deuce. In contrast, "serve out" is used when a player only needs one more point to win the game, regardless of whether the game is tied or the player has already gained a two-point advantage. This distinction highlights the importance of the final point in a game and the tension and pressure that can come with trying to win that final point.