English Idioms

Sports

Learning sport-related idioms can enhance your ability to discuss athletic activities and competition with flair. Our selection of sport idioms includes clear definitions, practical examples, and audio pronunciations to facilitate your learning. Mastering these idioms will help you convey ideas and emotions more effectively in the context of sports. By understanding the origins of these idioms, you'll gain cultural insights and improve your comprehension. Practice using these idioms to boost your confidence and fluency in English. Start exploring sport idioms today to elevate your conversational skills in athletic contexts.

Idiom	Meaning and Examples
Benchwarmer	Meaning: A benchwarmer is someone who is part of a group or team but doesn't actively participate in the main events or activities. They are often on the sidelines, waiting for an opportunity to contribute. Examples: Despite his enthusiasm, Mark remained a benchwarmer for the entire season. Sophia felt like a benchwarmer at work, always ready but rarely given significant tasks. During the project, Jenna's role was more of a benchwarmer, waiting for her chance to shine. Meaning and Examples of the "Benchwarmer" idiom
Buzzer beater	Meaning: A last-minute effort or action that occurs just before a deadline or critical moment. It often refers to a decisive, game-changing move made in the nick of time. Examples: The startup secured its funding with a buzzer beater pitch to the investors just before the deadline. After hours of negotiations, the peace treaty was signed in a buzzer beater move to avoid further conflict. Her acceptance of the job offer was a buzzer beater, coming just moments before the company's hiring deadline. Meaning and Examples of the "Buzzer beater" idiom
Call the shots	Meaning: To be the person who makes the decisions or is in control of a situation. When someone calls the shots, they have the authority to direct how things are done. Examples: As the CEO, she calls the shots on all major company policies. In our family, it's my grandmother who calls the shots during holiday gatherings. The director called the shots on the film set, making sure every scene was perfect. Meaning and Examples of the "Call the shots" idiom
Curveball	Meaning: A curveball is an unexpected or surprising occurrence that can change the course of events. It often requires quick thinking and adaptability to handle effectively. Examples: The sudden resignation of the CEO threw a major curveball at the company's strategic plans. Life can throw you a curveball when you least expect it, so it's crucial to stay adaptable. Her unexpected illness was a curveball that forced the team to rethink their project deadlines. Meaning and Examples of the "Curveball" idiom
Down for the count	Meaning: Being unable to continue or participate, often due to exhaustion or defeat. It's like when a boxer gets knocked down and can't get up before the referee finishes counting to ten. Examples: After pulling three all-nighters in a row, Jenna was down for the count and slept through the entire weekend. When the company lost its biggest client, it felt like they were down for the count, but they managed to bounce back stronger. Despite his initial enthusiasm, Mark was down for the count after the marathon and could barely move for days. Meaning and Examples of the "Down for the count" idiom
Drop the ball	Meaning: Failing to do something that you were responsible for, often due to carelessness or lack of attention. It's when someone makes a mistake or mishandles a task, leading to negative consequences. Examples: During the critical meeting, Jane dropped the ball by forgetting to bring the financial reports. The project was delayed because Tom dropped the ball on submitting the necessary documents. She dropped the ball when she missed the deadline for the college application. Meaning and Examples of the "Drop the ball" idiom
Get a kick out of	Meaning: To derive enjoyment or pleasure from an activity or situation. It's when something makes you happy or excited, often in a way that might be surprising or unexpected. Examples: She really gets a kick out of solving complex math problems. I get a kick out of watching old movies on rainy days. He gets a kick out of surprising his friends with unexpected gifts. Meaning and Examples of the "Get a kick out of" idiom
Hit it out of the park	Meaning: To achieve something exceptionally well or to an extraordinary degree. It's often used to describe a performance or accomplishment that exceeds expectations. Examples: Her presentation at the conference hit it out of the park, leaving the audience in awe. The chef's new recipe hit it out of the park, becoming the most popular dish on the menu. The marketing campaign hit it out of the park, resulting in record-breaking sales for the company. Meaning and Examples of the "Hit it out of the park" idiom
Home run	Meaning: A home run refers to a great success or an achievement that goes above and beyond expectations. It's when someone excels in a task or project, impressing everyone with the results. Examples: Her presentation at the conference was a home run, leaving the audience thoroughly impressed. When the startup's new product launch turned out to be a home run, investors were eager to pour in more funds. Publishing his novel was a home run for him, as it quickly became a bestseller. Meaning and Examples of the "Home run" idiom
Jump the gun	Meaning: To do something prematurely or before the appropriate time. It's like acting too soon without waiting for the right moment or proper preparation. Examples: Despite having all the facts at hand, she jumped the gun and accused her colleague of theft. The board of directors jumped the gun by announcing the merger before finalizing the details. You don't want to jump the gun and submit the report without double-checking the numbers first. Meaning and Examples of the "Jump the gun" idiom
Level playing field	Meaning: A situation where everyone has the same opportunities and advantages, allowing for fair competition. It ensures no participant has an unfair advantage over others, making the competition equitable. Examples: The new regulations aim to create a level playing field for small businesses to compete with large corporations. By providing equal access to education, we can ensure a level playing field for all students, regardless of their background. The antitrust laws were enforced to maintain a level playing field in the market. Meaning and Examples of the "Level playing field" idiom
On the ball	Meaning: Being alert, attentive, and able to respond quickly to situations. It implies someone is sharp and performing tasks efficiently and correctly. Examples: During the meeting, Sarah was really on the ball, answering every question with confidence and precision. Despite the challenging project deadline, Jake was on the ball and managed to complete all tasks ahead of schedule. You can always rely on Jenna; she’s consistently on the ball and never misses any details. Meaning and Examples of the "On the ball" idiom
Play ball	Meaning: To cooperate or agree to participate in a plan or activity, often to achieve a common goal. It can also mean to follow rules or accept a situation that requires teamwork. Examples: Despite initial reluctance, the committee decided to play ball and support the new initiative. When the company faced a crisis, the employees had to play ball to ensure business continuity. Negotiations went smoothly once both parties agreed to play ball. Meaning and Examples of the "Play ball" idiom
Step up to the plate	Meaning: To take responsibility for a task or challenge, often one that is difficult or requires courage. It involves being proactive and taking initiative in a situation where action is needed. Examples: With the CEO on medical leave, the vice president had to step up to the plate and lead the company. When the project faced a tight deadline, Jane stepped up to the plate and put in extra hours to ensure its completion. After the team captain was injured, several players had to step up to the plate to fill the leadership void. Meaning and Examples of the "Step up to the plate" idiom
Throw in the towel	Meaning: To give up on a task or endeavor, acknowledging that continuing is futile or too difficult. It often implies a sense of defeat or surrender after trying hard. Examples: After months of struggling with the complicated project, Jenna finally decided to throw in the towel. The startup was losing money rapidly, and the founders had no choice but to throw in the towel. Despite numerous attempts to fix the old car, Mark had to throw in the towel and buy a new one. Meaning and Examples of the "Throw in the towel" idiom