BOXING

12 boxing idioms in English

Although the sport still enjoys a relatively large following today, the huge popularity that boxing had
over a century ago is obvious when you look at the impact that the sport has had on the English
language. In fact, there are plenty of common boxing terms and situations that you use in a figurative
sense every day without even knowing it! Let’s have a look at some of the most popular boxing idioms
heard in English all the time.

1. in your corner
In a boxing match, the corners are the two opposite angles of a boxing ring where boxers rest between
rounds. A boxer typically has a second or cornerman (usually their coach or trainer) who instructs them
between rounds. This practice gave rise to the phrase in one’s corner. Figuratively, when someone is in
your corner, they are on your side in an argument or dispute.

2. on the ropes
Are you on the ropes? Boxing rings are typically enclosed by four ropes running around the four edges
of the boxing platform, attached to 5-foot poles in each corner. As a boxer, when your opponent has
forced you against the ropes with their attack, you are in trouble, or ‘on the ropes’. In everyday use,
someone ‘on the ropes’ is in ‘a state of near collapse or defeat’.

3. knockout
Knockout refers to the action when one boxer knocks down his opponent with a blow. (The blow is
often called a knockout punch.) This use of knockout has no doubt influenced the use that refers to ‘an
extremely attractive or impressive person or thing’. A knockout is also known as a KO, and
occasionally appears as the verb kayo. The word is derived from a use of the verb knock that dates back
to at least Shakespeare’s time (the OED cites the verb form in Henry VI, Pt. 1: ‘Many haue their giddy
braynes knockt out’).

4. down (or out) for the count

A boxer is down for the count (or out for the count in British English), or defeated by his opponent,
when he is knocked to the canvas and fails to rise within ten seconds. The phrase now refers to defeat
more generally, as well as to someone who is soundly asleep or unconscious.

5. throw in the towel

Have you ever ‘thrown in the towel’? Traditionally, a boxer (or, more often, someone in his corner)
would admit defeat by throwing a towel into the ring. (The practice of actually throwing towels is
rather limited today.) The phrase dates from the early 20th century, although the practice of throwing
something into the ring to admit defeat goes back at least to the mid-19th century. The object in
question, though, used to be a sponge, not a towel.

6. saved by the bell

Maybe you’ve been on the verge of throwing in the towel, when you were saved by the bell. In this
case, the ‘bell’ in question refers to the bell rung during boxing matches to signify the end of a round.
When a boxer is being counted out, the bell saves them from being down for the count. For those who
grew up in the ’90s, the phrase is also associated with the high school sitcom Saved by the Bell.

7. below the belt

Hits below the beltline are generally considered illegal in boxing. A common term for a hit ‘below the
belt’ is a low blow. Both of these terms now refer broadly to any unfair or unsporting behavior.

8. bob and weave

Although the term is now used throughout the sports world, bob and weave began as a
boxing technique, in which a boxer would ‘make rapid bodily movements up and down and from side
to side.’ Despite the phrase being most strongly associated with movement in sports, the term is also
applied figuratively to anything that ‘moves rapidly and unpredictably in one direction after another’, as
in: ‘Production bobs and weaves from week to week.’

9. lead with one’s chin

When you lead with your chin in boxing, you’re ‘sticking your neck out’, or leaving yourself
unprotected. Figuratively, this refers to speaking or behaving incautiously. Boxers who are known to
have glass jaws – or, in other words, boxers who are particularly susceptible to opponents’ punches –
should avoid leading with their chins.

10. throw one’s hat into the ring

Although modern boxing doesn’t incorporate hats, amateur boxing in the early 19th century sometimes
did – in the form of accepting a challenge. When the crowd was called upon to provide a challenger for
a boxer, someone might literally throw their hat into the ring to take up the call. Today, the
phrase throw one’s hat into the ring still refers to the taking up of a challenge, though more often in
non-physically combative arenas. For instance, one might refer to a politician announcing a run for
office as having ‘thrown her hat into the ring’.

11. roll with the punches

This phrase has obvious connections to boxing; when a boxer rolls with the punches, they move their
body away from the blows of their opponent, thus lessening the force of the impact. The figurative
sense of the phrase means ‘adapting oneself to adverse circumstances.’

12. rope-a-dope
This playful-sounding term refers to a technique in which a boxer ‘pretends to be trapped against the
ropes, goading an opponent to throw tiring ineffective punches’. The tactic is associated with
Muhammad Ali (b. 1942), who coined the term in the 1970s. Today, the term is sometimes used in
political circles, as in this example from a 1999 article in The New Republic, ‘Clinton spent the next
two years playing rope-a-dope with Newt Gingrich in hopes of living to fight another day.’

55 Boxing Idioms
By Mark Nichol - 3 minute read
Despite the waning popularity of pugilism, or the sweet science, as boxing is also called, the sport has
contributed a number of colorful words, phrases, and expressions out of proportion to its current stature
among athletic endeavors. Here is a list of idioms that originated in boxing and were subsequently
extended to the world outside the square ring.

1. bare-knuckle: fierce or determined (from boxing done without gloves)

2. beat (someone) to the punch: accomplish something before someone else does
3. blow-by-blow: a detailed account (referring to commentary during a boxing match)
4. bob and weave: be evasive (as a boxer ducking to avoid an opponent’s blows)
5–6. come out fighting/swinging: be immediately aggressive or energetic
7–10. deliver/land a (knockout) blow/punch: hit
11. down and out: destitute (an analogy to a boxer who has been knocked down and remains
motionless)
12–13. down/out for the count: defeated or overcome (as a boxer who has run out of time to stand up
after being knocked down)
14–15. drop/take off the gloves: abandon civility (from the practice of using bare fists rather than
gloves)
16. duke it out: argue (likely from dukes as rhyming slang for fists; “duke of Yorks” was substituted
for forks as slang for fingers or hands)
17. glass jaw: vulnerability (from a reference to the target point on a boxer that is most fragile)
18. go down swinging: persist (from the notion of a boxer fighting up to the point at which he or she is
knocked out)
19. have (someone) in your corner: have an ally (from the boxer’s support team, positioned in a
corner of the ring)
20. heavy hitter: an influential person or other entity (from the term for a boxer who lands particularly
hard punches)
21. heavyweight: see “heavy hitter” (from the boxing and wrestling weight class)
22. hit below the belt: act unfairly (from the act of landing a blow below an opponent’s waist)
23. in-fighting: conflict within a group (from the term for boxing close up)
24. keep (one’s) guard up: stay alert (from the idea of protecting one’s face with a gloved hand)
25. kisser: lips
26–28. knockout/KO: a decisive blow; a knockout is also a very attractive or impressive person
29. lead with (one’s) chin: take a risk (from the inadvisable act of exposing one’s chin)
30. lightweight: an insignificant person or entity (from the boxing and wrestling weight class)
31. low blow: a hurtful or unfair action or comment (see “below the belt”)
32. on the ropes: in trouble (an analogy to an exhausted boxer who is hanging onto a rope on the
perimeter of the ring)
33. one-two punch: a combination or sequence of two impactful things
34. pull (one’s) punches: hold back from using full force or full resources (as when a boxer does not
use his or her full strength)
35–36. punch-drunk/punchy: dazed or fatigued (from the notion of a boxer disoriented from receiving
multiple blows)
37. put up your dukes: said by someone as an invitation to fight (see “duke it out”)
38. ringside seat: a position close to an incident or event or chain of events
39. roll with the punches: be flexible (from the idea of a boxer remaining in motion despite having
received repeated blows)
40. round: one of a series of activities or events (from the name of a period of time during a boxing
match)
41. saved by the bell: rescued from difficulty at the last moment (from the bell rung at the end of a
round in boxing)
42. slap-happy: see “punch-drunk/punchy”
43. slugfest: a literally or figuratively combative event
44. spar: fight or dispute (from the term for a boxing maneuver, used in the phrases “sparring match”
and “sparring partner”)
45. square off: prepare for conflict (from the tradition of boxers standing facing each other at the
beginning of a match)
46. straight from the shoulder: direct and forthright (an analogy to a blow delivered using one’s full
strength)
47. sucker punch: an unexpected blow
48. take a dive: fail (from the slang phrase referring to a boxer falling after being struck)
49. take it on the chin: stand up to criticism (from the idea of a boxer receiving a blow on the chin
without falling)
50. the gloves are off: said when someone begins to act mercilessly (in reference to boxing without
gloves)
51–53. put/throw/toss (one’s) hat into the ring: issue a challenge or indicate one’s interest in
participating (from the custom of a challenger throwing his hat into a boxing ring when a boxer takes
on random opponents)
54. throw in the towel: give up (from the custom of a member of a boxer’s support team tossing a
towel into the ring to indicate that the boxer concedes defeat)
55. undercard: a subordinate activity or event in a series (from the term for the category of one or
more boxing matches preceding the featured bout)

BOXING IDIOMS
Boxing is a very old sport. The Greeks included it in the Olympic games in the seventh century A.D. It
was reintroduced in England centuries later and came to America with the English. It is a popular sport
in the United States, with the championship matches watched by millions on television each year.a one-
two punch
Meaning 1 ►
to deliver or receive two punches, one right after another
Sentence 1
The boxer knocked out his opponent with a one-two punch combination.
Meaning 2 ►
to be in a difficult situation because two negative things have happened to one
Sentence 2
I got a a one-two punch before the election: Two important groups were against me. I lost.
down and out (for the count)
Meaning 1 ►
to be knocked down and be unable to get up before the referee counts to ten
Sentence 1
The fighter is down and out. The fight is over.
Meaning 2 ►
to be in a bad situation and to need help
Sentence 2
The homeless are down and out.

heavyweight
Meaning 1 ►
a competitor in the strongest, heaviest division
Sentence 1
Joe Louis was a great heavyweight boxer.
Meaning 2 ►
to be the most important
Sentence 2
International Business Machines is a heavyweight in the computer business.
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hit below the belt

Meaning 1 ►
to hit another boxer below the belt
Sentence 1
It is illegal to hit a boxer below the belt.
Meaning 2 ►
to hurt someone unnecessarily
Sentence 2
He hit below the belt in that argument when he criticized her appearance.

lightweight
Meaning 1 ►
to be in a division for persons who are light in weight and not as strong as those in the heavyweight
division.
Sentence 1
Carlos Ortiz was a lightweight champion in the 1960's.
Meaning 2 ►
to be of lesser importance
Sentence 2
He can't help you. He is a lightweight in this corporation.
0 comments »

no holds barred
Meaning 1 ►
An extremely dangerous wrestling match because no grips or "holds" are forbidden
Sentence 1
He broke his opponents arm because no holds were barred.
Meaning 2 ►
to do anything to achieve a result
Sentence 2
No holds are barred in international arms sales.

On the ropes
Meaning 1 ►
the term refers to the ropes around the boxing ring
Sentence 1
Mohammed Ali was winning the fight and his opponent was on the ropes unable to defend himself.
Meaning 2 ►
If a person, business venture or politician is on the ropes, he or she is in a difficult place.
Sentence 2
The company was deeper in debt and on the ropes.

ringside seat
Meaning 1 ►
to have a seat near to the action of the game or fight
Sentence 1
He had a ringside seat at the Tyson fight.
Meaning 2 ►
to be where the action is
Sentence 2
The general had a ringside seat just behind the troop lines.

take something on the chin

Meaning 1 ►
to be hit on the chin
Sentence 1
The boxer took a punch to the chin and is down.
Meaning 2 ►
to have something bad happen to one
Sentence 2
He took it on the chin today. He was fired.

throw in the towel (or sponge)

Meaning 1 ►
the boxing manager throws in the towel to stop the fight
Sentence 1
His manager threw in the towel and the fight was over.
Meaning 2 ►
to give up, to not pursue an objective
Sentence 2
I want to throw in the towel on this marriage. It's not going to work. We fight too much.
Derivation
In the early days of boxing, opponents used bare fists to hit each other. When hit a sponge was used to
wipe away blood. When a fighter was no longer able to fight, his manager would throw the bloody
sponge into the ring to stop the fight.
to roll with the punches
Meaning 1 ►
a boxer absorbs punches while waiting for an opportunity to strike back
Sentence 1
The boxer rolled with the punches hoping to find an opening against his opponent.
Meaning 2 ►
getting one's bearing in a difficult situation; figuring out what to do after a few set backs
Sentence 2
"We can't wait any longer, John will have to roll with the punches; we have no one to teach him."

1. BEAT SOMEONE TO THE PUNCH

To beat someone to the punch means to do something before they do,

and comes from the idea of landing a blow before your opponent. This
boxing sense is from 1913 while the figurative meaning came about just
a couple of years later.
2. BELOW THE BELT

Below the belt meaning unfair comes from the unfair and illegal boxing
maneuver of hitting someone in the nether regions. The phrase gained its
figurative meaning around 1889.

Related is low blow, originally an illegal blow below the waist, and now
also an unscrupulous attack or insult.

3. BLOW-BY-BLOW

This term for a very detailed description was originally used starting in
the early 1920s to describe prize-fight broadcasts. By the 1940s, blow-
by-blow was being used in a non-boxing sense, perhaps first by mystery
writer Hilda Lawrence in her novel Death of a Doll: "Maybe we'd better
get together. Blow by blow description."

4. GLUTTON FOR PUNISHMENT

Glutton meaning an enthusiast for something—a glutton for books, for

example—has been in use since the early 1700s. However, the
phrase glutton for punishment, one who refuses to leave a losing
situation, is a mid-1800s term that comes from pugilism.

5. GROGGY

The word we know as meaning sleepy or out of it originally meant

“intoxicated,” and came from grog, an old-timey alcoholic beverage.
Groggy meaning “dazed” is from the boxing ring, meaning weakened in
a fight, hence staggering, shaky, and unsteady.
As for grog, it supposedly comes from the nickname of Edward Vernon,
an 18th century British admiral who went by the moniker Old Grog, due
to his predilection for a coarse grogram cloak.

6. KILLER INSTINCT

Killer instinct was first used to describe American prizefighter Jack

Dempsey in the early 1930s. The first citation of it in the OED is
“[Dempsey] had more fighting spirit and more of the sheer killer instinct
in him than was in all four of them rolled together.” Now the term refers
the drive to succeed in anything and at any cost.

7. ON THE ROPES

When a fighter is pushed up against the ropes of the boxing ring by his
opponent, he’s in big trouble. Hence, the figurative meaning of on the
ropes is being near defeat or in poor condition.

8. PALOOKA

While we might think of a palooka as a stupid, oafish, or clumsy person,

the word originally referred to a mediocre prizefighter. The prizefighter
sense originated around 1926, and is credited to Jack Conway, the editor
of Variety magazine. Joe Palooka was a 1920s comic that featured a
dim-witted boxer with a heart of gold, which helped popularize the
oafish meaning of the word.

But where the word palooka originally came from is more of a mystery.
It might be based on the Polish name Paluka or else a variation
of Polack, a disparaging term for a person of Polish descent.
9. PLUCK

In late 18th century pugilism slang, a brave fighter was said to

have pluck. Pluck earlier referred to the heart and entrails of a
slaughtered animal, or that which could be “plucked” from a carcass. The
figurative sense in fighting was that of courage, which at the time was
believed to reside in the heart.

10. PUNCH-DRUNK

This term meaning dazed and confused originated in boxing parlance

referring to a fighter stupefied by too many punches to the head.
Later, punch-drunk came to mean a neurological condition seen often in
boxers and formally known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

11. ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES

To roll or ride with the punches, or to adapt easily to adverse

circumstances, comes from the fighting maneuver of moving or rolling
one’s head and body away from a blow to lessen its impact. Related
is pull one’s punches, or to be gentle, like a fighter who pulls back to
lessen a blow’s impact.

12. SAVED BY THE BELL

Not just a television show, saved by the bell is an idiom meaning to be

rescued at the last moment from a sticky situation.

While there’s a wide-held belief that the origin of the phrase has to do
with a 17th-century fear of being buried alive and subsequent coffins
equipped with bells to save any such unlucky individuals, it’s actually —
you guessed it—a boxing term referring to a losing fighter being “saved”
by a bell that signals the end of a round.
13. THROW IN THE TOWEL

To throw in the towel, or give up, came from the early 20th-century
boxing practice of literally throwing a white towel into the ring when
admitting defeat. This convention comes from an earlier one of throwing
up a sponge to admit defeat, hence another giving-up phrase, “to throw
(or chuck) up the sponge.”

14.THROW ONE'S HAT IN THE RING

While throwing in the towel signifies giving up, throwing one’s hat in
the ring shows you’re ready for a fight. This custom is from at least
the early 1800s, a time when most men wore hats, and would have been
more reliable than trying to make yourself heard over a noisy, fight-
thirsty crowd.

15. WASHBOARD

The word washboard has a few different meanings: a board for washing
clothes, a nautical term for a board that keeps the sea from breaking over
the side of a boat, and, of course, Channing Tatum-esque abs. This
rippling stomach muscles sense—which resembles a clothes washing
board—is from 1950s boxing jargon.

BASKETBALL
70 Remarkable Sports Idioms You
Can Use In Business And Daily Life
Jump Idioms Infographic by Kaplan International Colleges.

PULL OUT ALL THE STOPS

Used when someone does everything they can possibly do to achieve the result they
want.

 I’m determined to pull out all the stops this time. I want my wedding day
to be absolutely perfect.

ON THE BALL
To know what is happening. To be fully aware and in control of a situation.

 Fred is the best person to take control of this project. He is always on the
ball, and works really well under pressure.

[Tweet “ON THE BALL: To know what is happening. To be fully aware and in control
of a situation.”]

KEEP ONE’S EYE ON THE BALL

To remain alert and keep one’s attention focused on the task or matter at hand.

 Stop thinking about what he wants, this is an important stage in your career
and you need to keep your eye on the ball!

DROP THE BALL

Make a mistake, disappoint everyone.

 I thought she’d be able to cope, but when the time came to present the
results, she just dropped the ball….really badly.
JUMP FOR JOY
To jump up because one is happy.

 I’m so excited about my promotion, I could jump for joy!

ALL HANDS ON DECK

Used to indicate that the involvement of all the members of a team is required.

 We had all hands on deck to get everything prepared for Jenny’s surprise
party.

THE BALL IS IN ONE’S COURT

Used to express when it is someone else’s decision to do something.

 You know how he feels about it; the ball is in your court now. You have
to decide what you want to do.
CALL THE SHOTS
Make all the important decisions.

 John will be calling the shots while our boss is on holiday.

FRONT RUNNER
The person expected to win or succeed.

 Barbara is definitely the front runner for the Assistant Manager position.

[Tweet “FRONT RUNNER: The person expected to win or succeed.”]

GET A HEAD START / HAVE A HEAD START / GIVE A HEAD START

To start or allow someone else to start before everyone else.

 I’ll give you a head start because I know I can do my chores really quickly,
and I’ll probably still finish before you anyway!
 He only finished first because he had a head start, otherwise I would’ve
definitely won!

GET INTO THE FULL SWING

Get comfortable after doing something for a while.

 It took me at least a month to get into the full swing of how things work
in this company, now it’s all really easy and straightforward for me.

IN FULL SWING
At the peak of an activity, moving fast and efficiently.

 We got to Sarah’s house a bit late and the party was already in full swing.
GET OFF THE HOOK
Escape, have responsibility removed.

 I thought I might have to stay in and babysit this weekend but luckily,
Angela’s plans changed, so I got off the hook!

JUMP OFF THE PAGE

Something that is visually pleasing or someone who is intellectually sharp, and stands
out above the rest.

 That was such an eye-catching newspaper advertisement. It really did jump

off the page!
 The second interviewee was incredibly talented. She really jumps off the
page for me.

GET A SECOND WIND

Have a sudden burst of energy after being tired.

 I was exhausted after the 10th mile of running, but I got a second
wind after I saw the sign for the final lap.
GIVE (SOMETHING) ONE’S BEST SHOT
To try your absolute hardest to succeed.

 Don’t think about whether you will win or lose, just give it your best shot.

[Tweet “GIVE (SOMETHING) ONE’S BEST SHOT: To try your absolute hardest to
succeed.”]

PLAIN SAILING
A straightforward or simple task that has no problems, and is very easy to complete.

 I don’t ever want to change my job. It’s just plain sailing and I get paid a
lot for it!

IN A LEAGUE OF ONE’S OWN

Someone who is much better than the rest.

 Most of the applicants were quite strong; they all seemed to have some
good qualities, but Charlie Brown was in a league of his own.

JUMP OFF THE DEEP END

To take immediate and drastic action.

 I’ve decided to jump off the deep end and quit my job. I want to
completely change my life and travel the world.
JUMP THROUGH HOOPS
To go to extreme lengths to get something done, or to please someone.

 Hazel jumped through hoops for her ex-boyfriend, but he didn’t

appreciate her efforts enough.

TO JUMP OUT OF ONE’S SKIN

To be badly frightened.

 I nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw a man standing by the

window!

JUMP AT SOMETHING (A CHANCE OR OPPORTUNITY)

To seize the opportunity to do something.

 I jumped at the chance to do an internship placement with Google.

 I would jump at any opportunity to work within that law firm, even if it
was a low-paid position, but it’s really hard to get any work with them!
JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS
To make an assumption without considering all the facts.

 No, that’s not the reason why I was there. You’re just jumping to
conclusions because you saw me with Helen!

[Tweet “JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS: To make an assumption without considering all the

facts.”]

HIT IT OUT OF THE PARK

To have enormous success.

 Rob has really hit it out of the park with his new entrepreneurial idea!

STAY AHEAD OF THE GAME

To be leaders in a particular field/business environment.

 You have to stay ahead of the game if you want to be successful in the
media business.

A TWO HORSE RACE / NECK AND NECK

A close contest between two groups/companies.

 It was a two horse race between the enterprises for quite some time.
 It was neck and neck between the two enterprises for quite some time.

APPROACHING THE FINISH LINE / THE HOME STRETCH

Getting quite close to the end.
  We’ve almost done it, we’re approaching the finish line now. You can’t
give up at this stage!
 We’ve almost done it, this is the home stretch now. You can’t give up at
this stage!

JUMP OFF THE SHELVES

To sell really well, a popular product.

 Those homemade pies are jumping off the shelves; we’ll have to make
some more!

JUMP / GET ON THE BANDWAGON

To join a cause, follow or copy a popular trend or activity.

 I’ve noticed that most people in this office seem to have jumped on the
bandwagonand started wearing those skinny jeans!

GIVE (SOMEONE) A RUN FOR THEIR MONEY

To make it really hard for someone else to succeed over one’s self.
  You really gave that Property Developer a run for his money! Well done.

ACROSS THE BOARD

Equal for everyone. Applying to everybody or everything.

 Bonuses were given across the board for such a successful year.

AT THIS STAGE IN THE GAME

At the present moment or time during an activity.

 It’s hard to predict what the outcome will be at this stage in the game.

HIT BELOW THE BELT

Do or say something that is very unfair or cruel.

 Martha had hit below the belt when she brought up his personal issues.
 That was below the belt Andy….there was no need to get my family
involved.

[Tweet “HIT BELOW THE BELT: Do or say something that is very unfair or cruel.”]

GO OVERBOARD
Do or say too much, more than is necessary.

 My mum always goes overboard when it comes to preparing for Christmas

time!

JUMP DOWN (SOMEONE’S) THROAT

To criticise or become angry with someone.
  My boss jumped down my throat as soon as I mentioned booking another
holiday!

HOT SHOT
Used to describe someone who thinks they are the best. This could also be used in a
positive way to compliment someone who is very skilful.

 That new hot shot in the Marketing team just talks about himself all the
time!

JUMP AT ONE’S OWN SHADOW

When someone is afraid of everything around them.

 Sally jumps at her own shadow; I don’t think she’ll want to watch that
new horror movie!

MEET ONE’S MATCH

To encounter one’s equal.
  John had definitely met his match when a new player joined the tennis
club.

OFF AND RUNNING / OFF TO A RUNNING START / OFF TO A FLYING START

Start something with a good, smooth beginning and progressing well.

 She was off to a flying start when her course began, I don’t understand
why she was nervous at all before!

KEEP ONE’S HEAD ABOVE WATER

Trying not to fall behind in work, other duties or financially.

 These last few weeks have been tough at home; I’ve only just
about managed to keep my head above water! Hopefully things will
begin to get better now that I have money to pay the bills.

LEARN THE ROPES

Trying to understand new things.

 I’ll help you with everything for the first few weeks, while you’re learning
the ropes.

[Tweet “LEARN THE ROPES: Trying to understand new things.”]

LONG SHOT
Something that may be difficult to accomplish, but is attempted anyway.

 That’s a bit of a long shot, I don’t think the boss will agree, but ask him
anyway. You can only try!
NO SWEAT
Another way of saying ‘Not a problem’.

 “Thanks for helping with explaining everything to the Director!”

 “No sweat.”

MAKE THE CUT

Be chosen to be part of a group or team.

 Unfortunately, Jane didn’t make the cut….but you did! Congratulations!

OUT OF ONE’S LEAGUE

Not as good as another.

 I really want to date Sarah even though I know she’s out of my league,
and probably doesn’t even know I exist!

JUMP THE SHARK

A term used to describe a moment when something that was once great has reached
a point where it will now decline in quality and popularity.
  I think that TV Series has jumped the shark now. They’re running out of
ideas and it’s not even funny anymore!

RACE AGAINST TIME

When there is almost no time left to accomplish something.

 I had to race against time to finish decorating the house. Jean decided to
come home early and I wanted it all completed before she got back!

TAKE THE BULL BY THE HORNS

Accept a challenge and do your best to succeed, or deal with a problem directly.

 Bill has a very strong character. He always takes the bull by the
horns and never accepts defeat.

WALKING / SKATING ON THIN ICE

To do something that is very risky. To put one’s self in a situation that could become
quite problematic or dangerous.

 Jeremy is skating on thin ice, he had his licence taken away from him last
week, but he is still driving his car!
 No, I can’t ask for more holiday, I’m already walking on thin ice after all
the days off I had last month!

GET / START THE BALL ROLLING

To begin something.

 I know I have some time before the end of my contract, but I want to get
the ball rolling so I don’t have to rush to find a job in the last few weeks.

[Tweet “GET THE BALL ROLLING: To begin something.”]

KEEP THE BALL ROLLING
To maintain the momentum of an activity.

 We had previously planned to end the book club early, but as there was a
sudden rise in interest from the local community, we decided to keep the
ball rolling throughout the summer.

WIN HANDS DOWN / BEAT (SOMEONE) HANDS DOWN

An easy victory.

 I don’t think you need to worry about the new team, you have a better
squad and will definitely beat them hands down!
 There was no competition between them at all. You should have seen her
play, she won hands down!

THROW IN THE TOWEL

To give up on something.

 I’ve decided to just throw in the towel and start looking for work
elsewhere. It’s too competitive to get a decent job here.

BAT A THOUSAND
To be successful in everything that you do.

 Gareth seems to be batting a thousand with his online business this year.
JUMP SHIP
To leave or abandon something that is not doing well.

 The football manager did not jump ship, instead he decided to stay and
support his struggling team.

BOUNCE (SOMETHING) OFF (SOMEONE)

To test someone’s reaction to an idea, in order to get their opinion about it.

 Do you mind if I just bounce a couple of ideas off you about next
quarter’s marketing strategy?

CLEAR A HURDLE
To overcome an obstacle.

 We’ve cleared a big hurdle by getting all the legal paperwork completed
for our new business.

DIVE IN HEADFIRST
To do something impulsively, without thinking about the consequences.
  I just decided to dive in headfirst, and it was one of the best decisions
ever!

[Tweet “DIVE IN HEADFIRST: To do something impulsively, without thinking about

the consequences.”]

A FIGHTING CHANCE
A good possibility of succeeding if you try hard.

 You have a fighting chance of getting that job, I know you can do it!

DIVE RIGHT INTO (SOMETHING)

To begin to do something without hesitating, getting started immediately.

 Some of the students decided to dive right into their studies when they
started university.

KICK OFF (SOMETHING) or KICK (SOMEONE) OFF

To begin something, to start something.

 We kicked off the summer by being the first ones to have a barbecue
party in our neighbourhood.
 I decided to kick him off the pitch, because he wasn’t helping his team and
kept starting fights with the other players!

SET THE PACE

To establish the pace or speed of something.

 The fastest runner set the pace for the other runners during the marathon.
SINK OR SWIM
To fail or succeed by one’s own efforts.

 This industry is very competitive, you either sink or swim – you cannot be
average.

JUMP THE GUN

To be impatient and not wait for the right time. To do something too soon, especially
without thinking about it carefully.

 Don’t jump the gun Chris, let’s just wait for them to tell us when it’s our
turn.
 Don’t you think they’re jumping the gun a bit? They’ve only just met and
they’re thinking about getting married already!

A WHOLE NEW / DIFFERENT BALL GAME

A new set of circumstances, a completely new situation.

 I’m usually quite good with computers, but this software you’ve installed is
a whole new ball game!
 Mr. Grove is very strict. When he starts teaching this class next year, it will
be acompletely different ball game.
WILD CARD
Something or someone that adds an unexpected twist to an activity or situation.

 They added our team as a wild card at the very last minute, to make the
game a bit more interesting.

TACKLE A PROBLEM
To attack a problem with a lot of effort, in order to resolve it.

 Don’t worry Janice, we can tackle this problem if we work together.

TEAM PLAYER
Someone who works well with others to achieve a common goal.

 I see myself as an excellent team player; someone who can be relied upon.

[Tweet “TEAM PLAYER: Someone who works well with others to achieve a common
goal.”]

TO THROW IN A CURVEBALL
To surprise someone by doing something unexpected.

 They threw in a curveball halfway through my interview and said I had to

take part in a role-play situation. I think they wanted to test how well I
could work under pressure!
TOUCH BASE WITH (SOMEONE)
To briefly meet or make contact with someone, usually to update them or be updated
on a matter.

 I stopped off in LA to touch base with Sally before coming home.

Sports Idioms
The ball's in your court now.
Here are some common idioms based on sport and sports. Each entry includes the
meaning of the idiom and shows the idiom in context in an example sentence. At
the end is a sports idioms quiz to check your understanding.

Sports idioms generally originate from a specific sport such as baseball or sailing.
Over time these phrases have come to mean something that can be used in
everyday life. While most sports idioms can still be used when discussing sports,
they are even more common in other areas of life, especially the business world.
Try using some at work, school and social events. You will sound like a pro!

idiom
sport of origin meaning example sentence

across the board equal for everyone Ten percent raises were
cards given across the board.

at this stage in at this time Nobody knows who is going to win

the game the election at this stage in the
any sport game.

the ball is in your it's your decision or "Do you think I should accept the job
court responsibility to do offer?"
tennis something now "Don't ask me. The ball is in your
courtnow".
bark up the you've got the I think you're barking up the wrong
wrong tree wrong person or tree by blaming Matt for the missing
hunting idea money.

blind-sided to not see George blind-sided Eric with his fist

American football something coming at the bar.

blow the win easily If you wear that dress to the beauty
competition pageant you are going to blow the
away competition away.
any sport

call the shots make the decisions While our boss is on vacation, Bob
billiards will call the shots.

chip in help by donating The staff members chipped in 5

gambling money or time dollars each to buy Jody a birthday
gift.

down to the wire right at the end It's coming down to the wire to get
horse racing these done on time.

front runner one of the people Angela is a front runner for the new
track who is expected to supervisor position.
win

get a head start start before all They gave the walkers a head
horse racing others start in the run for cancer.
get into the full be comfortable It will probably take a month of
swing doing something working at my new job before I get
tennis after some time into the full swing of things.

get off the hook escape, have The child got off the hook for
fishing responsibility stealing because the security
removed camera was broken.

give something try for a while before You should give Nadine a fair
or someone a giving up shakebefore you decide she isn't
fair shake good enough for the job.
gambling

get a second have a burst of I was exhausted after 3 kilometres

wind energy after tiring of running, but I got a second
sailing wind after I passed the beach.

give it your best try your hardest Give it your best shot and you may
shot just make it to the finals.
hunting

give one a run try one's hardest to I know the other team is expected to
for one's money defeat another win, but let's give them a run for
horseracing person their money tonight.

go overboard do or say more than You can't believe everything Janice

sailing you need to says about Rick. She tends to go
overboardwhen she's complaining
about him.
go to bat for defend someone Andy is asking for a salary increase,
someone and I'm going to go to bat for him if
baseball the boss says no.

have the upper have a better The Blues have the upper hand in
hand chance of winning or the tournament, because none of
cards succeeding their players is injured.

hit below the do or say something Amanda was hitting below the
belt that is very unfair or beltwhen she called Adrian an unfit
martial arts cruel father.

hit a snag come up against a The renovations were going along

boating problem great until we hit a snag with the
carpet installation.

hold all the aces expected to win or The children hold all the aces when
cards succeed it comes to the father-son baseball
tournament.

the home stretch almost the end I think Alice's pregnancy is in the
horse racing home stretch.

hot shot (big an important or very All the hot shots from Silicon Valley
shot) successful person were invited to meet the president.
hunting

jump the gun start too early I guess I jumped the gun by
track buying Pam and Steve a wedding
gift. They called off the
engagement.
keep one's head try not to fall behind in We are so busy during the tourist
above water work or other duties season I can barely keep my
swimming head above water.

learn the ropes understand new things The first week on the job you will
sailing just be learning the ropes.

let her rip go ahead now Okay, here are the keys to your
boating new car. Let her rip!

level playing everyone has an equal The spelling bee is a level

field chance playing field because all of the
any field sport kids are in grade nine.

long shot a very difficult thing to Jim thinks we can afford the
hunting accomplish house, but I think it's a long shot.

make the cut be chosen to be part of I didn't get a second interview, so

any sport a team or group I'm pretty sure I won't make the
cut.

neck and neck to be in a close tie with George and Stan are neck and
horse racing someone neckin the hockey pool. Either of
them could win the money.

no sweat no problem I told Lily it was no sweat for us

any sport to babysit next weekend.

not playing with not having full brain I think Jerry was still drunk at
a full deck (of capacity work on Sunday because
cards) he wasn't playing with a full
cards deck.

not up to par not good enough for a I'm afraid your resume isn't up to
golf job or position parfor the engineering position.

to be off base not making a fair or You were way off base when you
baseball true remark said Bill needed to lose weight.

on target doing the right thing to We are on target to meet our

darts succeed budget this month.

on the ball ready and able The new receptionist is really on

baseball the ball when it comes to
answering the phone.

out in left field strange, very All of the students laughed when
baseball unconventional; Joe gave an answer that was out
completely wrong in left field.

out of not as good as I'd like to date Maria, but I'm

someone's someone afraid I'm out of her league.
league
team sport

par for the an expected Waiting in line is par for the

course circumstance course at Christmas time.
golf
plenty of other there are many other I know you still love Jack, but
fish in the sea men and women to remember there are plenty of
fishing date other fish in the sea.

race against there is almost no time It's a race against time to find a
time left to accomplish kidney donor for my cousin.
track something

settle a score get even with a person My brother wants to settle the
with someone after a previous battle scorewith that guy who stole my
any sport wallet.

shot in the dark a guess I was lucky to win the quiz. All my
hunting answers were shots in the dark.

skate on thin ice do something risky, You're skating on thin ice by not
skating take a chance sending in your college
application before now.

start the ball begin something Please can everyone be seated

rolling so we can start the ball rolling.
ball sports

step up to the do the honourable It's time you stepped up to the

plate thing, take plateand apologized for your
baseball responsibility mistake.

take a rain accept at a later time Sorry, I can't go to the movies

check today, but I'd love to take a rain
baseball check.
take sides choose a person or I hate to take sides, but I think
any sport group to support Jerry is right about the paint
colour.

take the bull by accept the challenge Even though this new job will
the horns and try your hardest mean relocating, I think you
bull fighting should take the bull by the
horns for once.

take the wind make someone feel I think I took the wind out of
out of one's deflated Angela's sails when I told her
sails she was a terrible singer.
sailing

throw in the give up If they don't accept our offer this

towel time we are going to throw in the
boxing toweland look at houses
elsewhere.

time out break Let's take some time out and

any sport grab a coffee.

three strikes you only get three The school's no smoking policy
and you're out chances is three strikes and you're out.
baseball

two strikes you only have one Nancy is going to be fired in no

against chance remaining time. She already has two strikes
baseball againsther for coming in late.
under the table illegally I don't have a work visa, so they
gambling have to pay me under the table.

win hands down easy victory The other team was missing half
gambling of its players. We won hands
down.