Sport is a universal language, whether you prefer playing it or watching it. This is probably why there are so many English sports idioms to describe a host of different situations.
The sporting expressions we are about to share cover competitions, games, and sports including baseball, football, boxing, racing, running, hunting, tennis… even bowling and card games.
Even if you are not familiar with how a particular sport works, you may come across expressions associated with it. These sport idioms are used in everyday language, usually in situations that have nothing to do with any sport, so make sure you have a basic understanding of what they mean. To make these idioms easier to grasp, we have included definitions and examples with each one.
Let’s get the ball rolling!
Sports idioms about competition
We’ll begin with some sports idioms that focus on the competitive nature of sport.
Blow someone/something out of the water
You’ll hear this idiom in used in sports, as well as other competitive situations. Saying let’s blow the competition out of the water is a way of motivating a team to beat their opponents in a big, dramatic, overwhelming way.
“Come on guys. Let’s get out there and hit our sales targets. We’re going to blow the competition out of the water!”
A similar phrase is blow away, which also means to defeat easily. However, this one is more often used with a different meaning: to impress or amaze. Because of its multiple definitions, your intended meaning may not be so clear.
Take sides
In any team sport, you need to pick a team or side to join or support. Used as a sports idiom, when you take sides or pick a side, you have to choose whom you support in a disagreement or conflict.
“Please don’t make me take sides now you’re breaking up.”
See also: Whom vs who
Give someone a run for their money
This sports idiom comes from horse racing. When you give someone a (good) run for their money you are saying that you will make it difficult for them to win. You will compete as well as you can; to the best of your ability.
“I was so impressed with how the she argued her point with the teacher. She really gave him a run for his money.”
This doesn’t just apply to sports, but could apply to job interviews or trying to get the best score in an exam.
Note that, when used in the past tense, it usually means that you tried hard to succed, but ultimately your opponent or competitor won.
Put up a good fight
This idiom is almost identical in meaning to the one above. When you put up a good fight, you make a courageous and valiant effort against your opponent, even if the odds area against you.
“They put up a good fight, but we all knew they didn’t really stand a chance.”
Come out fighting
When you need to get yourself psyched up to win, you’ll need to come out fighting.
Perhaps you need to be ready to win an argument or a sports competition, or maybe you just need to defend your point of view. When you do all of these in a passionate and even aggressive way, allowing no one to stop you or get in your way, people will say you came out fighting.
“After a bit of a setback, he has finally come out fighting.”
Hold all the aces
The aces in a pack of playing cards normally have the highest value. In this case, holding all the aces means you are in a very strong position and will likely win. So, this sports idiom means that you have a big advantage in a situation.
“Sadly, he holds all the aces and there is nothing I can do.”
Down to the wire
When something goes down to the wire, it is completed or decided at the last moment. You may do this intentionally, for example by waiting until the night before a deadline to begin the project. Or, it may happen in a sports context because both sides are equally matched.
“Looks like this match will go down to the wire.”
“I don’t understand why you always leave your revision down to the wire.”
This is an example of an idiom about education too, since many people take this approach to their learning (perhaps unwisely!).
Wipe the floor with (someone)
Sometimes a contest is not at all equal, and one team or side easily defeats the other. In this case, you could say that the winners wiped the floor with their opponents.
“What a wild game. You absolutely wiped the floor with the other team!”
Front runner
Lots of sports idioms are quite easy to guess. A front runner is the person (or animal) that is leading the race or competition and is expected to win.
“So who’s the front runner after the first round of interviews?”
Although this saying originated in horse racing, it’s often used nowadays in political contexts, to describe the most favored candidate. You can find some more idioms about running and walking here.
Head start
A competitor is said to have a head start when they begin before the others in the race or competition, or have some other kind of advantage. Sometimes this is agreed beforehand, if the competitor is disadvantaged in some other way, but often it is against the rules and will lead to disqualification.
When used figuratively as a sports idiom, it refers to doing something earlier than others to gain an advantage over them.
“The judges disqualified the runner, as video footage showed he had had a head start of 0.2 seconds.”
“I leave home at 7am to get a head start on the traffic.”
“I feel like they all have a head start as they worked together in the past.”
Give it your best shot
To give it your best shot is to do the best that you can; to try your hardest and give it all your effort.
“I know you’re nervous, but just walk into that interview with a smile and give it your best shot.”
This is a good motivational saying to use when someone needs encouragement.
Take the bull by the horns
This expression comes from a more controversial tradition, bullfighting, but it’s still very commonly used and worth knowing. To take the bull by the horns is to deal confidently and directly with an unpleasant, difficult or intimidating situation.
“I know you haven’t dated in a while, but I think it’s time to take the bull by the horns and see that guy tonight.”
Be sure to enjoy other animal idioms to help strengthen your English.
Have the upper hand
If you find yourself in a position where you have more power, control, or knowledge than another person, you would be said to have the upper hand.
“I guess that since she speaks two languages, she’ll have the upper hand in the interview process.”
Dive in head first
A lot of these sports idioms are about winning, working hard and being fully committed – and here’s another. People who dive in head first fully dedicate themselves to a project and immediately get involved, rather than taking a more cautious approach.
“I have no idea what I’m doing so I’m just going to dive in head first.”
Of course, this expression can also mean to physically dive in head first, for example diving into the water with your head leading the way.
Drop the ball
Nobody wants to drop the ball, but sometimes it happens. This is when you mishandle something, mess it up, forget it or simply make a mistake.
“I can’t believe Mike didn’t have his presentation ready for the meeting. He really dropped the ball on this one.”
Hit your target
In archery, the target is the thing you are aiming for. When you hit your target you have completed or achieved what you were attempting to do. Conversely, you can miss your target.
“If I hit my target, I’ll get a bonus.”
“I tried my best but I still missed my target by a long way.”
You may also hear other sports idioms that imply the same thing, like hitting a bullseye (the center part of the target).
Aside from being a good sports saying, this is a helpful business idiom too.
More sport and game idioms
Below the belt
To hit someone below the belt line in martial arts or boxing is not allowed (for obvious reasons!). So when applied as an idiom, it is a way of describing an action that is unfair, cruel, and with no respect for the rules.
“I know you were angry yesterday but your comment was a bit below the belt.”
Take it on the chin
In literal form, this comes from boxing when one fighter receives blows/punches to the face and continues fighting. As a sports saying, it is used when you endure or accept unpleasant events, criticism, or misfortune without complaining.
“Listen, I know that was hard to hear, but you’ve got to learn to take it on the chin.”
There are loads more idioms featuring body parts that you’ll hear in English.
Blind-sided
Here’s one of many American English idioms used in sports, as this saying is from American Football. When you are blind-sided you are hit, attacked, or approached without seeing it coming.
“To be honest, the professor blind-sided me. I though the test was on chapter two – not two and three!”
This may refer to a physical attack, or it could just be something you weren’t prepared for, like bad news.
A game of two halves
There are plenty of British sports idioms but this is probably the most famous. It’s usually used when someone is summarizing a game. When they comment that it was a game of two halves, they are saying that the first half was very different to the second half.
In terms of football and day-to-day life, it means that your luck could change at any time.
“I know your first test didn’t go well, but remember, it’s a game of two halves. Let’s see how you do after lunch.”
This analogy can be applied to many aspects of life, for example in a business performance review. You may comment that the financial year has been a game of two halves as the first six months were very different to the last six.
Talking of American and British English, do you know the origin of the football vs soccer debate?
Own goal (home goal)
As a sporting term, an own goal or home goal occurs when you score a goal in your own net by accident. Used figuratively, it describes a situation when you do something that goes against yourself or you get yourself in trouble.
“I can’t believe I just got myself in trouble for speaking out. It was a bit of an own goal!”
Home stretch
Although you may hear sports idioms around the world, this phrase is more of a British English one. The home stretch in racing is the final straight part of the racecourse. In day-to-day usage, home stretch describes the final stage of something you are doing.
“I know it’s been a long semester but we’re in the home stretch before the summer holiday.”
You may also hear home straight used in the same context. In fact, there are loads of home idioms used in the English language – not just to talk about sports.
Hit a home run / knock it out of the park
Originating from baseball, to hit a home run means to do something in a very successful and well-received way.
“You hit a home run with that sales pitch. Great job!”
Funny enough, to hit or knock it out of the park means the same. In baseball, if you hit the ball so hard it leaves the pitch, you are able to get a home run. This is why these two sayings are connected in meaning.
“The interview went really well. I think I knocked it out of the park.”
There are so many idioms about baseball that we’ve created a separate list dedicated to them!
Across the board
Across the board is a sport idiom related to betting on horse races. An across-the-board bet covers a horse coming first, second or third in a race.
In everyday speech, something that applies across the board affects everyone or everything in question.
“The problem is that across the board we are seeing a fall in profit.”
“We’re applying a 2.5% pay increase across the board.”
Go the distance
Like many sports idioms, this one could be used in lots of different sports. To go the distance means to keep on going to the end of something.
Yes, this could be a sports event, like a boxer lasting all 12 rounds or a runner finishing a long race. It can also describe not giving up on something until it is complete.
“I was going to drop out of university, but after speaking to my grandfather, I think I’ll go the distance.”
Barking up the wrong tree
What does it mean when someone – or in the case of hunting, a dog – is barking up the wrong tree? This saying means that they have the wrong idea, are doing the wrong action to achieve their desired result, or are simply misguided.
“I think you’re barking up the wrong tree with that plan.”
Second wind
Here’s one of a few sailing sports idioms to make it onto our list, and one of many English expressions about wind.
If you are sailing, an extra gust of wind or a second wind could help you win a race. In terms of everyday life, it’s more about finding new strength after a period of tiredness or weariness.
“I was feeling quite tired this afternoon but I think I’m getting my second wind now.”
Go overboard
Sometimes in life, we give more than is needed or overreact to a situation. We can be very passionate and enthusiastic, but sometimes excessively so, and this could be described as going overboard.
This can be done in a positive sense, like decorating a birthday party with too many balloons, or negatively, such as reacting angrily when it wasn’t justified.
“Ok guys. It’s just a fire drill. No need to go overboard with it all.”
“I think Sarah has gone a bit overboard with her outfit.”
In terms of sailing, though, this expression refers to someone falling in the water.
Hit a snag
If you come across a problem or obstacle that slows your progress, then you can say that you have hit a snag.
“It looks like we aren’t going to make our deadline as we hit a bit of a snag yesterday.”
This idiom also comes from boating, although you can imagine it would be a problem if you’re rock climbing, too.
Hotshot or big shot
People who are described as a hotshot or a big shot are important and successful, but usually in a flashy or over-confident way.
If someone describes you in this way, it’s probably not a compliment but more of a sarcastic remark. You may think you are important, but they don’t have much respect for you.
“Look at Gary! He thinks he’s such a hotshot because his mum runs the company.”
See also: compliment vs complement.
Chip in
You can sometimes use sports idioms to mean different things. To chip in means to contribute. However, it can mean to contribute money or time towards something, or to add a comment or opinion to a conversation, sometimes interrupting the flow of the chat.
“Come on everyone. Be sure to chip in for Jane’s leaving party.”
“Mark chipped in with a great idea yesterday.”
“There’s a lot of cleaning to do, but if we all chip in, it won’t take too long.”
At this stage in/of the game
This phrase is used during many different sports, but you’ll also find it used in general situations. The expression at this stage of the game is a long-winded way of saying ‘right now’. It refers to the current point in an ongoing process, usually closer to the end than the beginning.
“They have been arguing all week. At this stage of the game, I’m not even sure if the wedding will still be on!”
A whole different ball game
When someone tries to say that something is similar to or the same as something else, but you disagree, tell them that it is a whole different ball game.
“Honestly, you can’t compare Apple to Android. It’s a whole different ball game.”
Other non-sports sayings you could use include ‘something else entirely’ and ‘another thing altogether’.
Call the shots
In billiards, pool, or snooker, you may call the shots you are going to make. This means you inform your opponent where you will pot the ball (which pocket/hole you will hit it into).
As one of the many sports idioms used in everyday conversation, it refers to making decisions or being in charge of a situation.
“I don’t agree with what the manager said, but he calls the shots so I guess we’d better do it.”
“I let my wife call the shots when it comes to vacations. She’s so good at planning special trips.”
Get the ball rolling
This sport idiom is good for motivating a group to get started with a project. Instead of just saying ‘let’s get started’, you can say let’s get the ball rolling to get them excited and raring to go.
“Fine! I’ll go first and get the ball rolling!”
“Steve can’t wait to get the ball rolling with this new project.”
There are lots of other sayings about teamwork which could help in this context.
Strike out
Strike out is a very interesting phrase, as it has so many possible meanings.
It could be used when someone attacks or speaks angrily to another person. It could refer to someone starting something new, independently. You may also use it if you are erasing something from a record, especially in a court setting. Or you could use it in baseball if you miss three balls or strikes and therefore you are out of the game. You choose!
“After we worked together for five years, he decided to strike out on his own.”
“Keep an eye on Andy tonight. He tends to strike out after he’s had a few drinks.”
Time-out
When players get angry in a game, mainly in ice hockey, they are put in a time-out. This is an opportunity for them to sit and calm down before rejoining the game.
This principle can be used outside of sports too. When someone is angry or worked up, a time-out gives them a chance to calm down and reflect on what has happened. Usually parents give their children a time-out, but sometimes adults can benefit from it as well!
“Right you two, that’s enough fighting. Looks like you need a time-out.”
Out of your league
In most sports, but especially football, teams are grouped together in leagues according to how well they play. The best teams are in the top league and the not-so-good teams are lower down. To say that someone (or something) is out of your league is to say that you feel they (or it) are too good for you.
For example, it could be a person who is too good-looking to be your partner, an item that is too expensive, or a job that requires too much experience. Whatever the situation, this saying means that the person or thing is not attainable for you.
“I’m not sure if I can ask my new fitness instructor out on a date. He’s a bit out of my league.”
“I’d love to apply for that job but I think it’s out of my league.”
Do you know the difference between attain and obtain?
The ball is in your court
Sports like tennis, badminton, and basketball are played on a court, but this sporting phrase is used in all kinds of everyday situations. When you tell someone the ball is in your court, it means that a matter is their problem, their responsibility, or their decision to make.
“I met my deadline, so the ball is in your court to finish things off.”
“I’ve asked Selina to the movies. Now the ball is in her court.”
Get into the swing of things/it
When you start something new, it may feel like you’ll never get used to it. To get into the swing of things is to finally feel at ease with a new routine or the way you need to do something.
“Don’t worry. You’re new and I’m sure you’ll get into the swing of things soon.”
“I taught myself how to crochet last year. It took a while to get into the swing of it, but now I do it every evening.”
How many of these sports idioms had you heard before? Did you know the sports they were from? Learning a few from this varied list will help strengthen both your conversation and listening skills in English.
