Idiom Category: Sport, Page 1

A lost ball in the high weeds

A lost ball in the high weeds is someone who does not know what they are doing, where they are or how to do something.

Ahead of the pack

If you are ahead of the pack, you have made more progress than your rivals.

Argue the toss

(UK) If you argue the toss, you refuse to accept a decision and argue about it.

Armchair quarterback

(USA) An armchair quarterback is someone who offers advice, especially about football, but never shows that they could actually do any better.

Ball is in your court

If the ball is in your court, it is up to you to make the next decision or step.

Batting a thousand

(USA) (from baseball) It means to do something perfectly.

Be out in left field

(USA) To be out in left field is not to know what's going on. Taken from baseball, when youngsters assign less capable players to the outfield where the ball is less likely to be hit by a young player. In business, one might say, 'Don't ask the new manager; he's out in left field and doesn't know any answers yet.'

Beat them at their own game

If you beat someone at their own game, you use your enemy's tactics or tricks in order to win.

Beat to the punch

If you beat someone to the punch, you act before them and gain an advantage.

Below par

If something isn't up to standard, or someone isn't feeling or doing very well, they are below par.

Below the belt

If someone says something that is cruel or unfair, it is below the belt, like the illegal punches in boxing.

Big hitter

A big hitter is someone who commands a lot of respect and is very important in their field.

Blind-sided

If you are blind-sided, an event with a negative impact takes you completely by surprise.

Blow by blow

A blow-by-blow description gives every detail in sequence.

Box clever

(UK) If you box clever, you use your intelligence to get what you want, even if you have to cheat a bit.

Break your duck

(UK) If you break your duck, you do something for the first time.

Can't get to 1st base

If you can't get to first base, you're having difficulties starting something.

Come to grips

If you come to grips with a problem or issue, you face up to it and deal with it.

Cover all the bases

If you cover all the bases, you deal with all aspects of a situation or issue, or anticipate all possibilities. ('Cover all bases' is also used.)

Curve ball

(USA) If something is a curve ball, it is deceptive.

Dead heat

If a race ends in a dead heat, two or more finish with exactly the same result.

Do a Devon Loch

(UK) If someone does a Devon Loch, they fail when they were very close to winning. Devon Loch was a horse that collapsed just short of the winning line of the Grand National race.

Down for the count

If someone is down for the count, they have lost a struggle, like a boxer who has been knocked out.

Drop the ball

If someone drops the ball, they are not doing their job or taking their responsibilities seriously enough and let something go wrong.

Early bath

(UK) If someone has or goes for an early bath, they quit or lose their job or position earlier than expected because things have gone wrong.

Fall at the first fence

If something falls at the first fence, it goes wrong or fails at the first or an early stage.

Fall at the first hurdle

If something falls at the first hurdle, it goes wrong or fails at the first or an early stage.

Fever pitch

When a situation has reached fever pitch, people are extremely excited or agitated.

Fighting chance

If you have a fighting chance, you have a reasonable possibility of success.

First out of the gate

When someone is first out of the gate, they are the first to do something that others are trying to do.

Football's a game of two halves

(UK) If something's a game of two halves, it means that it's possible for someone's fortunes or luck to change and the person who's winning could end up a loser.

Foul play

If the police suspect foul play, they think a crime was committed.

Get the ball rolling

If you get the ball rolling, you start something so that it can start making progress.

Get to grips

If you get to grips with something, you take control and do it properly.

Get your skates on

This is used as a way of telling people to hurry up.

Go down without a fight

If someone goes down without a fight, they surrender without putting up any resistance.

Go the distance

If you go the distance, you continue until something ends, no matter how difficult.

Go to bat for

If you go to bat for someone, you support or help him or her when they need it.

Hail Mary pass

In American football, a Hail Mary pass is a long, desperate pass at the end of the game that is hoped may gain some points, so it is used for a desperate attempt to resolve a serious problem at the last minute.

Hat trick

Three successes one after the other is a hat trick.

Have someone in your corner

If you have someone in your corner, you have their support or help.

Hit the bull's-eye

If someone hits the bull's-eye, they are exactly right about something or achieve the best result possible. "Bulls-eye" and "bullseye" are alternative spellings.

Hit the mark

If someone hits the mark, they are right about something.

Home stretch

The home stretch is the last part of something, like a journey, race or project.

Hook, line, and sinker

If somebody accepts or believes something hook, line, and sinker, they accept it completely.

Horses for courses

Horses for courses means that what is suitable for one person or situation might be unsuitable for another.

In the ballpark

This means that something is close to the adequate or required value. 

Jockey for position

If a number of people want the same opportunity and are struggling to emerge as the most likely candidate, they are jockeying for position.

Jump the gun

If you jump the gun, you start doing something before the appropriate time.

Keep your eye on the ball

If you keep your eye on the ball, you stay alert and pay close attention to what is happening.

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