20 Sports Idioms

20 Sports Idioms

Hello English learners! Are you into sports? Well, here are 20 sports idioms with useful example sentences so you can learn them in context.

Ballpark figure

Meaning: an estimated number or amount.

• If you can’t tell the exact amount, give them the ballpark figure.
• They provided us with a ballpark figure we’d be allowed to spend on this project.

The ball is in your court

Meaning: use it to tell someone that it’s their turn to do something.

• I asked Mary to marry me. The ball is in her court now. 
• We offered them a good deal. The ball is in their court now. Hopefully, they’ll accept it so we can start doing business.

Blow the competition away

Meaning: to win the competition easily.

• If you prepare well you’ll blow the competition away.
• Ryan blew all the competition away after signing a contract with a major company. 

Call the shots

Meaning: to be in charge.

• Ever since our boss is on sick leave, David is calling the shots.
• My eldest brother calls the shots when our parents are away.

Give something your best shot

Meaning: to do something to the best of your ability.

• I’ve never prepared Chinese food, but I’ll give it my best shot.
• You should give it your best shot at school if you want to go to college.

Go the distance

Meaning: to be persistent and finish something you’ve started; to last long.

• The two presidents should try and go the distance in reaching an agreement on this issue.
• These batteries are very durable. They are supposed to go the distance.

Have the upper hand

Meaning: have authority or advantage;

• As long as I am the boss here, I’ll have the upper hand.
• When the moon rises, he’ll have more light to hunt, and he’ll have the upper hand.

Hit below the belt

Meaning: to be unfair to someone to gain an advantage.

• Some politicians don’t hesitate to hit their opponents below the belt in order to win the election.
• The comment hurt her, and she felt as if it was a hit below the belt.

Hit the ground running

Meaning: to begin working on something immediately.

• As soon as she graduated, Milly hit the ground running in a local book shop.
• Once he got the green light from his boss, Bob hit the ground running to finish the project.

Keep your head above water

Meaning: to manage to live or work without too many problems.

• Although in a very difficult situation, they managed to keep their heads above water after the war.
• If you reach up your hand, someone might be there to help you keep your head above water.

Learn the ropes

Meaning: to learn to do something.

• As a new employee, you’ll gradually learn the ropes until you master them.
• I’m sure it won’t take you long to learn the ropes of this trade.

Be off base

Meaning: to be wrong about something.

• If you think that you can get promoted without hard work, you’re totally off base.
• The figures in this report seem to be off base. Will you check them out again?

Out of someone’s league

Meaning: not as good as somebody else.

• Everybody at the competition spoke English better than me. I felt out of their league.
• Simon’s girlfriend is way smarter and prettier than him. Don’t you think he’s out of her league?

Skate on thin ice

Meaning: to be in a potentially dangerous situation.

• Unless you’re able to pay your bills and have enough money for food with your freelancing job, you’ll soon be skating on thin ice.
• If the boss sees you smoking in the corridor, you may soon be skating on thin ice.

Get the ball rolling

Meaning: to start working on something.

• To get the ball rolling, we launched a new product last week.
• Blogging is always a good way to get to ball rolling when it comes to some businesses.

Take the bull by the horns

Meaning: to deal with the problem, no matter how serious it is.

• When the war ended, the government decided to take the bull by the horns and deal with the problems the best they could.
• You should take the bull by the horns and tell your boyfriend to move out. 

Take the gloves off

Meaning: to act openly and in a hostile way in order to solve the problem.

• I think it’s time to take the gloves off and tell them your opinion about this matter.
• We could see that they took their gloves off when they started pushing each other and arguing.

Take time out

Meaning: to take a break and do something different from what you usually do.

• The famous actress took time out from filming and went on a city trip to Rome with her family.
• I think that you’ve been working way too hard lately. Why don’t you take time out and have a proper rest?

Throw in the towel

Meaning: to give up.

• Sarah got so tired of her job as a waitress that she threw in the towel and quit it. Now she’s looking for an office job.
• Just when he was ready to throw in the towel and give it all up, George won million dollars on the lottery.

Touch base

Meaning: to talk to someone for a while; to exchange news.

•  We touched base with some old friends while we were on holiday.
• Make sure you touch base with your dentist so you can make an appointment.

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