GENERAL SPORTS IDIOMS:
Those Common to Most Sports & Games
from http://sportsidioms.com/page/3.htm
IDIOM: the game
MEANING 1: the event
SENTENCE 1: We're going to the "Big Game" this year, the Stanford-Cal football game.
MEANING 2: competition, as in business, relationships or most of life
SENTENCE 2: There are international rules for the game of war; poison gas is forbidden.
IDIOM: play the game
sports & games
MEANING 1: to participate in a game or contest with fixed rules
SENTENCE 1: Do you know how to play the game of tennis?
MEANING 2: to know the rules and follow them; The game equals business or anything in which one competes in life.
SENTENCE 2: He is a good team player. He knows how to play the game.
IDIOM: at this stage of the game
sports & games
MEANING 1: at this time
SENTENCE 1: A t this stage of the game, fourth down and eight yards to go, he had better pass the ball.
MEANING 2: at this time, at this point in an event, a business negotiation
SENTENCE 2: A t this stage of the game, we better stop bidding. We don't have the money to bid any more for that house.
IDIOM: ahead of the game
sport & games
MEANING 1: before the game or event
SENTENCE 1: I'll meet you five minutes ahead of the game at section "M" at the football stadium.
MEANING 2: to have worked or done more than necessary, to have an advantage
SENTENCE 2: I have to work extra hours to stay ahead of the game on this negotiation.
IDIOM: play along (with)
sports generally
MEANING 1: to play the game with someone, usually for a short time
SENTENCE 1: Please play along with the team for awhile.
MEANING 2: to cooperate for a time
SENTENCE 2: Play along on this business arrangement until I can get a replacement.
IDIOM: name of the game
sports & games
MEANING 1: the name of a particular game or sport; what something is called
SENTENCE 1: The name of the game is baseball.
MEANING 2: the goal or objective
SENTENCE 2: The name of the game in New York City is to hustle.
IDIOM: give the game away
sports & games
MEANING 1: to give the game away by not playing well or showing one's strategy to the opposing team
SENTENCE 1: The team didn't play well. They gave the game away. Don't give the game away by showing your cards.
MEANING 2: to show or reveal a strategy
SENTENCE 2: If you show them the ad, you'll give the game away
IDIOM: game plan
sports & games
MEANING 1: a plan to win the game
SENTENCE 1: What's the game plan for the play-off.
MEANING 2: a plan to win in anything in life, if not life itself
SENTENCE 2: What's thegame plan to win this advertising contract?
IDIOM: game at which two can play
sports generally
MEANING 1: any game in which two players oppose each other
SENTENCE 1: Tennis is a game at which two can play. There are many more idioms using the term "game" as a noun, for example: It's a whole different game; It's awhole different ball game; It's a new game;That's an old game. There are also more idioms using "game" as an adjective as in game plan (above) and He's game (He will play the game). The student or reader can think of ways to use this idiom in sentences or his or her own, at work, at play or at home. Other terms commonly used which derive from many sports and games, rather than a specific one, are those associated with play, player, and teams.
IDIOM: team (noun)
sports generally
MEANING 1: a group of players in a game or sport
SENTENCE 1: The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional football team.
MEANING 2: a group associated together for a common purpose
SENTENCE 2: Richard Cheney, Secretary of Defense for the United States, was part of the President's team for the Gulf War offensive, Donald Rumsfeld was for the Afganistan offensive in 2001. How to Play the Game
IDIOM: player
sports & games
MEANING 1: to play a game or sport
SENTENCE 1: Mary is a good bridge player
MEANING 2: to work with a group
SENTENCE 2: You can trust Alice. She is a good player.
IDIOM: team player
sports generally
MEANING 1: to be part of the playing team
SENTENCE 1: Pete Rose was a good team player for the Phillies baseball team in the '80's.
MEANING 2: to cooperate with the group
SENTENCE 2: We need team players on our quality control group.
IDIOM: put into play
sports & games
MEANING 1: to begin something that has been thought out or worked on previously
SENTENCE 1: The quarterback told his team to put the new play into action.
MEANING 2: to begin something
SENTENCE 2: Let's put that new ad into play on prime time on CBS.
IDIOM: defensive play
sports & games
MEANING 1: To play defensively: a team or person tries to keep the opposing team from scoring.
SENTENCE 1: The team was better at defensive play than offensive play.
MEANING 2: to be defensive on a business project, a political project, in one's personal life.
SENTENCE 2: We better play. defensively. Think of possible questions and have the answers ready.
IDIOM: offensive play
sports & games
MEANING 1: to push or attack the defense of the opposing team in order to make a point
SENTENCE 1: We need to improve our offensive play in order to win the football game next week.
MEANING 2: to have a strategic plan, to try to score
SENTENCE 2: We need anoffensive play in order to get the order. Do you think we can lower the price?
IDIOM: take sides
sports generally
MEANING 1: to divide into opposing teams
SENTENCE 1: Will the players please choose and take sides
MEANING 2: to favor one viewpoint over another
SENTENCE 2: I didn't want to take sides in that argument.
IDIOM: foul play
sports generally
MEANING 1: not within the rules of the game; an infraction of the rules
SENTENCE 1: The referee blew his whistle. There was a foul play.
MEANING 2: an illegal activity, a bad practice or unfair
SENTENCE 2: Stealing my girlfriend was foul play. "Finally, Gorbachov turned to Bush. "Let me take this opportunity to tell you something, ... Your staff may have told you that what I'm doing is all a trick. It's not. I'm playing real politics. I have a revolution going that I announced in 1986. Now in 1988, the Soviet people don't like it. Don't misread me, Mr. Vice President, I have to play real politics."
The Commanders, Woodward, Bob, page 55
IDIOM: swing
sports, usually using a piece of equipment to hit a ball
MEANING 1: a stroke or blow with one or both arms, with or without an object, in a large arc In many sports the player uses equipment, such as a bat, golf club, racquet, to hit a ball. He swings at the ball.
SENTENCE 1: In golf, keep your head down as you swing at the ball.
MEANING 2: to do something, to make something happen
SENTENCE 2: I'll swing the deal for you.
sports generally
MEANING 1: to begin the game
SENTENCE 1: OK team. Let's swing into action
MEANING 2: to begin something
SENTENCE 2: I get up at 6:00 AM. I swing into action at 8:00 AM, when I get to the office.
IDIOM: (get) into full swing
MEANING 1: See previous page.
SENTENCE 1: You need to take the racquet into a full swing in order to hit the ball properly.
MEANING 2: to move fast or efficiently
SENTENCE 2: Let's get the factory into full swing. We'll need those cars by November.
IDIOM: get into the swing of things
MEANING 2: to fully understand something, to be actively involved
SENTENCE 2: You'll get into the swing of things soon. You've only been here a month.
DERIVATION: This idiom refers primarily to the word "swing" as an action and not to a specific sports term.
IDIOM: no sweat
sports generally
MEANING 1: an easy game requires little sweat or perspiration
SENTENCE 1: That was a no sweat game.
MEANING 2: no problem
SENTENCE 2: I'll do the job. No sweat!
IDIOM: in good shape
sports generally
MEANING 1: to be in good physical condition
SENTENCE 1: He's in good shape for the soccer season. He has been running five miles three times a week.
MEANING 2: to be in good condition
SENTENCE 2: That company is in good shape. It's price earnings ratio is under twelve.
IDIOM: shape someone or something up
sports generally
MEANING 1: to improve one's physical shape in order to perform better
SENTENCE 1: That baseball team bettershape up this spring in spring practice.
MEANING 2: to do or perform better
SENTENCE 2: You better shape up at the office or you will lose your job.
IDIOM: all over but the shouting
sports generally
MEANING 1: The game or sports event is finished or "over" and only the cheering is left.
SENTENCE 1: The World Series is all over but the shouting.
MEANING 2: decided, concluded
SENTENCE 2: The Gulf War is all over but the shouting.
IDIOM: level playing field
any sport in which a field is used
MEANING 1: level or flat playing field is important so that the play is fair.
SENTENCE 1: We need a level playing field for soccer, so one team does not have to run uphill.
MEANING 2: to be fair, to be equal
SENTENCE 2: They had more troops. We bombed them, so we had a level playing field before we sent in our troops.
DERIVATION: The idiom above, used in the Gulf War of 1990 refers to equalizing the numbers of ground troops rather than a level area for men to fight. In this case, the idiom is so far removed from its literal meaning of a flat or level field it becomes rather confusing.
IDIOM: make a hit with someone or something sports, primarily baseball
MEANING 1: to score a hit in baseball or another ball sport, such as cricket.
SENTENCE 1: Hank Aaron just made three hits in the world series. He ranks third in runs and hits. He was a great hitter.
MEANING 2: to do well
SENTENCE 2: He made a hit with his girlfriend when he took her out to dinner.
IDIOM: hit on something
sports generally
MEANING 1: to strike
SENTENCE 1: After a golfer hits the club on a golf ball he should follow through to achieve the greatest distance and accuracy.
MEANING 2: to discover something, to find a solution
SENTENCE 2: The mathematician hit on the solution while walking in the woods
IDIOM:: keep the ball rolling, going
sports generally primarily ball games
MEANING 1: to continue playing or rolling the ball (so your opponents cannot get it).
SENTENCE 1: Don't let the other team get the ball. Keep the ball rolling.
MEANING 2: to keep something going, to continue to work on something.
SENTENCE 2: Jill, it's your responsibility to keep the ball rolling on the ads for our new account.
DERIVATION: to keep the croquet ball rolling so your opponent cannot get his turn
IDIOM: to get or start the ball rolling
sports generally primarily ball games
MEANING 1: to begin the game
SENTENCE 1: Let's start the ball rolling. Begin the game.
MEANING 2: to begin anything
SENTENCE 2: Start the ball rolling on the Domino account. I want to see the ads in a month.
DERIVATION: The term derives from croquet: the player who begins the game has an advantage so important that t he term was applied to beginning anything.
IDIOM: a long shot
sports & games
MEANING 1: difficult to win; to win against great odds
SENTENCE 1: That horse is a long shot to win the Belmont race.
MEANING 2: very difficult to do
SENTENCE 2: That stock is a long shot to hit one hundred on the American stock exchange.
DERIVATION: In ancient England, archery contests were held to see who could make the longest shot with a bow and arrow. This expression is so old it has become imbedded in the language as an idiom associated not with a particular sport, but all sports,games, and activities associated with risk. For example, if "long shot" was used literally in a sport, it would be associated with shooting an .arrow, a bullet or something thrown in track and field. Thus it's a long shot for an archer to hit the bullseye at 90 meters.
IDIOM: not by a long shot
MEANING 1& 2: extremely difficult to win or accomplish something
SENTENCE 1: She won't win that tennis match, not by a long shot.
SENTENCE 2: He won't get that contract, not by a long shot.
IDIOM: blind-sided
sports generally
MEANING 1: to hit a player on his "blind-side"or the side away from which a player is looking
SENTENCE 1: The quarterback wasblind-sided by the defensive end.
MEANING 2: to not see what is going to happen
SENTENCE 2: I was blind-sided. I didn't know he was going to come up with those kind of figures for the buy-out.
IDIOM: ringside seat
sports generally primarily boxing
MEANING 1: to have a seat near to the action of the game or fight
SENTENCE 1: He had aringside seat at the Tyson fight.
MEANING 2: to be where the action is
SENTENCE 2: I had a ringside seat when they argued.
IDIOM: home court advantage
sports generally
MEANING 1: to play a game on a team's home field or court
SENTENCE 1: The Eagles have a home court advantage when they play football in Philadelphia.
MEANING 2: to have an advantage
SENTENCE 2: I had a home court advantage when they argued.
IDIOM: bounce
sports generally primarily ball sports
MEANING 1: to hit a surface and rebound
SENTENCE 1: The ball bounced over the wall.
MEANING 2: to jump around
SENTENCE 2: High technology stocks seem to bounce around a lot on the stock market. That stock took a big bounce yesterday.
IDIOM: that's the way the ball bounces
sports generally any sport in which a ball is used
MEANING 1: how the ball reacts to a surface or racquet
SENTENCE 1: That's the way the ball bounces in Aspen, Colorado. The altitude is 8500 feet.
MEANING 2: the way things happen
SENTENCE 2: He was fired. That's too bad, but that's the way the ball bounces in a recession.
IDIOM: make the cut
sports generally team sports
MEANING 1: to stay a team member after the coach takes out thoseplayers he doesn't want
SENTENCE 1: He made the cut. He'll play with the team this fall.
MEANING 2: to stay with the business or agency after the manager has fired or laid off people
SENTENCE 2: He made the cut. He'll be hired as our new account executive.
IDIOM: root for
sports generally
MEANING 1: to support, to cheer for
SENTENCE 1: He roots for the Pittsburgh Pirates, because he is from Pittsburgh.
MEANING 2: to support
SENTENCE 2: We root for the government to cut taxes.
IDIOM: go for it
sports generally
MEANING 1: to try to win
SENTENCE 1: She went for it and won the World Cup downhill.
MEANING 2: to try one's best
SENTENCE 2: Go for it! Try to be a doctor.
IDIOM: play-off
sports generally
MEANING 1: teams play against each other until one team wins
SENTENCE 1: The two top teams in the league go to the play-offs..
MEANING 2: to compete to win somethin
SENTENCE 2: We're into the play-offs on this contract. Do your best to get it for us.
IDIOM: time-out
sports & games
MEANING 1: to stop the clock during a game
SENTENCE 1: The quarterback called a time-outt in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
MEANING 2: to take a break or some time-outt from a project
SENTENCE 2: I'm tired. Could we have a time-out?
IDIOM: knowing the score
sports & games
MEANING 1: to know who won a game and by what points.
SENTENCE 1: He knows the score of the Notre Dame-Michigan football game.
MEANING 2: to know what is happening
SENTENCE 2: Do not go into that neighborhood unless you know the score.
IDIOM: make points (see to score)
sports & games
MEANING 1: to win points in a competition
SENTENCE 1: Basketball players make lots of points in a game.
MEANING 2: o make a successful move
SENTENCE 2: Did you make points with the boss by working overtime?
IDIOM: score (noun)
sports & games
MEANING 1: the number of points gained or lost in a competition
SENTENCE 1: What was the score of the baseball game yesterday?
MEANING 2: an account of what is happening in something
SENTENCE 2: What's the score on your sales this week?
IDIOM: score (verb)
sports & games
MEANING 1: to win or lose points in competition
SENTENCE 1: Wilt Chamberlain scored 3033 points for the PhiladelphiaWarriors basketball team in 1960. The Canadian Olympic Men's Hockey Team scorred three goals to the U.S. two goals in 2002.
MEANING 2: to do well
SENTENCE 2: Did you score with that pretty girl you met last week?
DERIVATION: Originally, scores were kept by making marks or cutting notches on something. To score still has his meaning, as well as those associated with sports and games.
IDIOM: out of bounds
sports & games ball sports, such as basketball, soccer, volleyball, golf
MEANING 1: to be outside the boundaries of play
SENTENCE 1: the basketball went out of bounds and the game stopped.
MEANING 2: not correct, not according to the rules
SENTENCE 2: Swearing is out of bounds in this office. Please do not do it.
Those Common to Most Sports & Games
from http://sportsidioms.com/page/3.htm
IDIOM: the game
MEANING 1: the event
SENTENCE 1: We're going to the "Big Game" this year, the Stanford-Cal football game.
MEANING 2: competition, as in business, relationships or most of life
SENTENCE 2: There are international rules for the game of war; poison gas is forbidden.
IDIOM: play the game
sports & games
MEANING 1: to participate in a game or contest with fixed rules
SENTENCE 1: Do you know how to play the game of tennis?
MEANING 2: to know the rules and follow them; The game equals business or anything in which one competes in life.
SENTENCE 2: He is a good team player. He knows how to play the game.
IDIOM: at this stage of the game
sports & games
MEANING 1: at this time
SENTENCE 1: A t this stage of the game, fourth down and eight yards to go, he had better pass the ball.
MEANING 2: at this time, at this point in an event, a business negotiation
SENTENCE 2: A t this stage of the game, we better stop bidding. We don't have the money to bid any more for that house.
IDIOM: ahead of the game
sport & games
MEANING 1: before the game or event
SENTENCE 1: I'll meet you five minutes ahead of the game at section "M" at the football stadium.
MEANING 2: to have worked or done more than necessary, to have an advantage
SENTENCE 2: I have to work extra hours to stay ahead of the game on this negotiation.
IDIOM: play along (with)
sports generally
MEANING 1: to play the game with someone, usually for a short time
SENTENCE 1: Please play along with the team for awhile.
MEANING 2: to cooperate for a time
SENTENCE 2: Play along on this business arrangement until I can get a replacement.
IDIOM: name of the game
sports & games
MEANING 1: the name of a particular game or sport; what something is called
SENTENCE 1: The name of the game is baseball.
MEANING 2: the goal or objective
SENTENCE 2: The name of the game in New York City is to hustle.
IDIOM: give the game away
sports & games
MEANING 1: to give the game away by not playing well or showing one's strategy to the opposing team
SENTENCE 1: The team didn't play well. They gave the game away. Don't give the game away by showing your cards.
MEANING 2: to show or reveal a strategy
SENTENCE 2: If you show them the ad, you'll give the game away
IDIOM: game plan
sports & games
MEANING 1: a plan to win the game
SENTENCE 1: What's the game plan for the play-off.
MEANING 2: a plan to win in anything in life, if not life itself
SENTENCE 2: What's thegame plan to win this advertising contract?
IDIOM: game at which two can play
sports generally
MEANING 1: any game in which two players oppose each other
SENTENCE 1: Tennis is a game at which two can play. There are many more idioms using the term "game" as a noun, for example: It's a whole different game; It's awhole different ball game; It's a new game;That's an old game. There are also more idioms using "game" as an adjective as in game plan (above) and He's game (He will play the game). The student or reader can think of ways to use this idiom in sentences or his or her own, at work, at play or at home. Other terms commonly used which derive from many sports and games, rather than a specific one, are those associated with play, player, and teams.
IDIOM: team (noun)
sports generally
MEANING 1: a group of players in a game or sport
SENTENCE 1: The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional football team.
MEANING 2: a group associated together for a common purpose
SENTENCE 2: Richard Cheney, Secretary of Defense for the United States, was part of the President's team for the Gulf War offensive, Donald Rumsfeld was for the Afganistan offensive in 2001. How to Play the Game
IDIOM: player
sports & games
MEANING 1: to play a game or sport
SENTENCE 1: Mary is a good bridge player
MEANING 2: to work with a group
SENTENCE 2: You can trust Alice. She is a good player.
IDIOM: team player
sports generally
MEANING 1: to be part of the playing team
SENTENCE 1: Pete Rose was a good team player for the Phillies baseball team in the '80's.
MEANING 2: to cooperate with the group
SENTENCE 2: We need team players on our quality control group.
IDIOM: put into play
sports & games
MEANING 1: to begin something that has been thought out or worked on previously
SENTENCE 1: The quarterback told his team to put the new play into action.
MEANING 2: to begin something
SENTENCE 2: Let's put that new ad into play on prime time on CBS.
IDIOM: defensive play
sports & games
MEANING 1: To play defensively: a team or person tries to keep the opposing team from scoring.
SENTENCE 1: The team was better at defensive play than offensive play.
MEANING 2: to be defensive on a business project, a political project, in one's personal life.
SENTENCE 2: We better play. defensively. Think of possible questions and have the answers ready.
IDIOM: offensive play
sports & games
MEANING 1: to push or attack the defense of the opposing team in order to make a point
SENTENCE 1: We need to improve our offensive play in order to win the football game next week.
MEANING 2: to have a strategic plan, to try to score
SENTENCE 2: We need anoffensive play in order to get the order. Do you think we can lower the price?
IDIOM: take sides
sports generally
MEANING 1: to divide into opposing teams
SENTENCE 1: Will the players please choose and take sides
MEANING 2: to favor one viewpoint over another
SENTENCE 2: I didn't want to take sides in that argument.
IDIOM: foul play
sports generally
MEANING 1: not within the rules of the game; an infraction of the rules
SENTENCE 1: The referee blew his whistle. There was a foul play.
MEANING 2: an illegal activity, a bad practice or unfair
SENTENCE 2: Stealing my girlfriend was foul play. "Finally, Gorbachov turned to Bush. "Let me take this opportunity to tell you something, ... Your staff may have told you that what I'm doing is all a trick. It's not. I'm playing real politics. I have a revolution going that I announced in 1986. Now in 1988, the Soviet people don't like it. Don't misread me, Mr. Vice President, I have to play real politics."
The Commanders, Woodward, Bob, page 55
IDIOM: swing
sports, usually using a piece of equipment to hit a ball
MEANING 1: a stroke or blow with one or both arms, with or without an object, in a large arc In many sports the player uses equipment, such as a bat, golf club, racquet, to hit a ball. He swings at the ball.
SENTENCE 1: In golf, keep your head down as you swing at the ball.
MEANING 2: to do something, to make something happen
SENTENCE 2: I'll swing the deal for you.
sports generally
MEANING 1: to begin the game
SENTENCE 1: OK team. Let's swing into action
MEANING 2: to begin something
SENTENCE 2: I get up at 6:00 AM. I swing into action at 8:00 AM, when I get to the office.
IDIOM: (get) into full swing
MEANING 1: See previous page.
SENTENCE 1: You need to take the racquet into a full swing in order to hit the ball properly.
MEANING 2: to move fast or efficiently
SENTENCE 2: Let's get the factory into full swing. We'll need those cars by November.
IDIOM: get into the swing of things
MEANING 2: to fully understand something, to be actively involved
SENTENCE 2: You'll get into the swing of things soon. You've only been here a month.
DERIVATION: This idiom refers primarily to the word "swing" as an action and not to a specific sports term.
IDIOM: no sweat
sports generally
MEANING 1: an easy game requires little sweat or perspiration
SENTENCE 1: That was a no sweat game.
MEANING 2: no problem
SENTENCE 2: I'll do the job. No sweat!
IDIOM: in good shape
sports generally
MEANING 1: to be in good physical condition
SENTENCE 1: He's in good shape for the soccer season. He has been running five miles three times a week.
MEANING 2: to be in good condition
SENTENCE 2: That company is in good shape. It's price earnings ratio is under twelve.
IDIOM: shape someone or something up
sports generally
MEANING 1: to improve one's physical shape in order to perform better
SENTENCE 1: That baseball team bettershape up this spring in spring practice.
MEANING 2: to do or perform better
SENTENCE 2: You better shape up at the office or you will lose your job.
IDIOM: all over but the shouting
sports generally
MEANING 1: The game or sports event is finished or "over" and only the cheering is left.
SENTENCE 1: The World Series is all over but the shouting.
MEANING 2: decided, concluded
SENTENCE 2: The Gulf War is all over but the shouting.
IDIOM: level playing field
any sport in which a field is used
MEANING 1: level or flat playing field is important so that the play is fair.
SENTENCE 1: We need a level playing field for soccer, so one team does not have to run uphill.
MEANING 2: to be fair, to be equal
SENTENCE 2: They had more troops. We bombed them, so we had a level playing field before we sent in our troops.
DERIVATION: The idiom above, used in the Gulf War of 1990 refers to equalizing the numbers of ground troops rather than a level area for men to fight. In this case, the idiom is so far removed from its literal meaning of a flat or level field it becomes rather confusing.
IDIOM: make a hit with someone or something sports, primarily baseball
MEANING 1: to score a hit in baseball or another ball sport, such as cricket.
SENTENCE 1: Hank Aaron just made three hits in the world series. He ranks third in runs and hits. He was a great hitter.
MEANING 2: to do well
SENTENCE 2: He made a hit with his girlfriend when he took her out to dinner.
IDIOM: hit on something
sports generally
MEANING 1: to strike
SENTENCE 1: After a golfer hits the club on a golf ball he should follow through to achieve the greatest distance and accuracy.
MEANING 2: to discover something, to find a solution
SENTENCE 2: The mathematician hit on the solution while walking in the woods
IDIOM:: keep the ball rolling, going
sports generally primarily ball games
MEANING 1: to continue playing or rolling the ball (so your opponents cannot get it).
SENTENCE 1: Don't let the other team get the ball. Keep the ball rolling.
MEANING 2: to keep something going, to continue to work on something.
SENTENCE 2: Jill, it's your responsibility to keep the ball rolling on the ads for our new account.
DERIVATION: to keep the croquet ball rolling so your opponent cannot get his turn
IDIOM: to get or start the ball rolling
sports generally primarily ball games
MEANING 1: to begin the game
SENTENCE 1: Let's start the ball rolling. Begin the game.
MEANING 2: to begin anything
SENTENCE 2: Start the ball rolling on the Domino account. I want to see the ads in a month.
DERIVATION: The term derives from croquet: the player who begins the game has an advantage so important that t he term was applied to beginning anything.
IDIOM: a long shot
sports & games
MEANING 1: difficult to win; to win against great odds
SENTENCE 1: That horse is a long shot to win the Belmont race.
MEANING 2: very difficult to do
SENTENCE 2: That stock is a long shot to hit one hundred on the American stock exchange.
DERIVATION: In ancient England, archery contests were held to see who could make the longest shot with a bow and arrow. This expression is so old it has become imbedded in the language as an idiom associated not with a particular sport, but all sports,games, and activities associated with risk. For example, if "long shot" was used literally in a sport, it would be associated with shooting an .arrow, a bullet or something thrown in track and field. Thus it's a long shot for an archer to hit the bullseye at 90 meters.
IDIOM: not by a long shot
MEANING 1& 2: extremely difficult to win or accomplish something
SENTENCE 1: She won't win that tennis match, not by a long shot.
SENTENCE 2: He won't get that contract, not by a long shot.
IDIOM: blind-sided
sports generally
MEANING 1: to hit a player on his "blind-side"or the side away from which a player is looking
SENTENCE 1: The quarterback wasblind-sided by the defensive end.
MEANING 2: to not see what is going to happen
SENTENCE 2: I was blind-sided. I didn't know he was going to come up with those kind of figures for the buy-out.
IDIOM: ringside seat
sports generally primarily boxing
MEANING 1: to have a seat near to the action of the game or fight
SENTENCE 1: He had aringside seat at the Tyson fight.
MEANING 2: to be where the action is
SENTENCE 2: I had a ringside seat when they argued.
IDIOM: home court advantage
sports generally
MEANING 1: to play a game on a team's home field or court
SENTENCE 1: The Eagles have a home court advantage when they play football in Philadelphia.
MEANING 2: to have an advantage
SENTENCE 2: I had a home court advantage when they argued.
IDIOM: bounce
sports generally primarily ball sports
MEANING 1: to hit a surface and rebound
SENTENCE 1: The ball bounced over the wall.
MEANING 2: to jump around
SENTENCE 2: High technology stocks seem to bounce around a lot on the stock market. That stock took a big bounce yesterday.
IDIOM: that's the way the ball bounces
sports generally any sport in which a ball is used
MEANING 1: how the ball reacts to a surface or racquet
SENTENCE 1: That's the way the ball bounces in Aspen, Colorado. The altitude is 8500 feet.
MEANING 2: the way things happen
SENTENCE 2: He was fired. That's too bad, but that's the way the ball bounces in a recession.
IDIOM: make the cut
sports generally team sports
MEANING 1: to stay a team member after the coach takes out thoseplayers he doesn't want
SENTENCE 1: He made the cut. He'll play with the team this fall.
MEANING 2: to stay with the business or agency after the manager has fired or laid off people
SENTENCE 2: He made the cut. He'll be hired as our new account executive.
IDIOM: root for
sports generally
MEANING 1: to support, to cheer for
SENTENCE 1: He roots for the Pittsburgh Pirates, because he is from Pittsburgh.
MEANING 2: to support
SENTENCE 2: We root for the government to cut taxes.
IDIOM: go for it
sports generally
MEANING 1: to try to win
SENTENCE 1: She went for it and won the World Cup downhill.
MEANING 2: to try one's best
SENTENCE 2: Go for it! Try to be a doctor.
IDIOM: play-off
sports generally
MEANING 1: teams play against each other until one team wins
SENTENCE 1: The two top teams in the league go to the play-offs..
MEANING 2: to compete to win somethin
SENTENCE 2: We're into the play-offs on this contract. Do your best to get it for us.
IDIOM: time-out
sports & games
MEANING 1: to stop the clock during a game
SENTENCE 1: The quarterback called a time-outt in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
MEANING 2: to take a break or some time-outt from a project
SENTENCE 2: I'm tired. Could we have a time-out?
IDIOM: knowing the score
sports & games
MEANING 1: to know who won a game and by what points.
SENTENCE 1: He knows the score of the Notre Dame-Michigan football game.
MEANING 2: to know what is happening
SENTENCE 2: Do not go into that neighborhood unless you know the score.
IDIOM: make points (see to score)
sports & games
MEANING 1: to win points in a competition
SENTENCE 1: Basketball players make lots of points in a game.
MEANING 2: o make a successful move
SENTENCE 2: Did you make points with the boss by working overtime?
IDIOM: score (noun)
sports & games
MEANING 1: the number of points gained or lost in a competition
SENTENCE 1: What was the score of the baseball game yesterday?
MEANING 2: an account of what is happening in something
SENTENCE 2: What's the score on your sales this week?
IDIOM: score (verb)
sports & games
MEANING 1: to win or lose points in competition
SENTENCE 1: Wilt Chamberlain scored 3033 points for the PhiladelphiaWarriors basketball team in 1960. The Canadian Olympic Men's Hockey Team scorred three goals to the U.S. two goals in 2002.
MEANING 2: to do well
SENTENCE 2: Did you score with that pretty girl you met last week?
DERIVATION: Originally, scores were kept by making marks or cutting notches on something. To score still has his meaning, as well as those associated with sports and games.
IDIOM: out of bounds
sports & games ball sports, such as basketball, soccer, volleyball, golf
MEANING 1: to be outside the boundaries of play
SENTENCE 1: the basketball went out of bounds and the game stopped.
MEANING 2: not correct, not according to the rules
SENTENCE 2: Swearing is out of bounds in this office. Please do not do it.
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