death save

English

Noun

death save (plural death saves)

1. (pinball) A maneuver in which the player roughly shifts the entire machine in an attempt to bring the ball back into play when it is almost certain to drain otherwise.
   • 2013, Tom Mendicino, KC, at Bat:

     He slapped the flippers, racking up points, the feeling of invincibility swelling as he pulled off a perfect death save.

   • 2017, Adam Ruben, Pinball Wizards:

     A “death save,” for example, involves thrusting the entire machine against an already drained ball, nudging it via a series of clever angles back into play.