on the pitch

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bieasy

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Hi,

Does the term 'on the pitch' mean something? Is it an idiom?
 

emsr2d2

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Hi,

Does the term 'on the pitch' mean something? Is it an idiom?

I can't think of any idioms that include "on the pitch". To me, it's only a sporting term.

There are 22 players on the pitch (for example, the football pitch).
 

philadelphia

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Hi,

Does the term 'on the pitch' mean something? Is it an idiom?

*Not a teacher

Without context, I would tend to agree that it means the field of play. Could you provide context?


At a guess, I would say: Huhh you're on my pitch, buddy, right? - Yes - So just get out of here! Meaning this area is yours (you rather attributed the pitch to yourself and you do not want that guy to come and play on it - very offensive. I believe that example is stretching the meaning, though we sometimes use pitch that way in French
 

BobK

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:up: 'Pitch' can also be used to mean the space where a temporary trader or busker operates - so 'You're on my pitch' could also used without reference to any kind of sport.

But 'on the pitch' isn't idiomatic (in any context I've met). Rather than 'on the pitch' people use another idiom - also related to sport - "in play"; and if a situation is developing, you can say '[we won't know] until all the balls are in play' (a bit of a strange idiom, now I think of it, as most games I can think of with several balls - notably snooker and pool - start with all their balls in play and the number of balls in play reduces). Hmm...

b
 

bieasy

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I can't think of any idioms that include "on the pitch". To me, it's only a sporting term.

There are 22 players on the pitch (for example, the football pitch).

It must be that. It was on CNN and they were broadcasting some sport events.
 

philadelphia

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'[we won't know] until all the balls are in play' (a bit of a strange idiom, now I think of it, as most games I can think of with several balls - notably snooker and pool - start with all their balls in play and the number of balls in play reduces). Hmm...

b

I do not find it weird, Bob. It makes sense here, in France and it is very often used like this. It would merely mean that as long as the ball/s is/are not in play, nothing can happen. So when the ball/s is/are in [play], everything can happen.

Eg We cannot tell [who is to win] until the time is running out meaning both players/teams can still try their luck to take the lead.
 
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