Mulligan Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈmʌlɪɡən/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A second chance to perform an action, often in reference to golf, where a player takes an extra stroke rather than counting a bad shot.

Examples

• After hitting the ball into the woods, John took a mulligan to retry his shot.
• The golfer was given a mulligan by his playing partner after slicing the ball out of bounds.

Synonyms

• Redo
• Retry

Antonyms

• Failure
• Mistake

Additional Information

The origin of the term “mulligan” is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the early 20th century at the Winged Foot Golf Club in New York. It is thought to have been named after a club member, John A. “Bud” Mulligan, who was known for taking extra shots during casual games.

In golf, a mulligan is often taken in a friendly or casual game, where the focus is on enjoyment rather than strict adherence to the rules. The term has since been adopted in other contexts, such as business or everyday life, to refer to a second chance or do-over.

Etymology

The term “mulligan” is believed to have originated in the early 20th century at the Winged Foot Golf Club in New York, and is named after a club member, John A. “Bud” Mulligan.

Usage Notes

The term “mulligan” is often used in informal or casual contexts, such as in friendly games or everyday life. It is not typically used in formal or competitive settings, where the rules must be strictly followed.

Cultural References

The term “mulligan” has been referenced in popular culture, such as in the movie “Caddyshack,” where the character Ty Webb, played by Chevy Chase, takes a mulligan during a game of golf.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• “Take a mulligan” – to take a second chance or retry an action

Related Words or Phrases

• Second chance
• Do-over

Collocations

• Take a mulligan
• Get a mulligan

Frequency of Use

The term “mulligan” is relatively uncommon in everyday language, but is frequently used in golfing circles and in casual, informal contexts.

Common Misspellings

• Mulligan
• Muligan