Sports idioms are very sweet in the mouth, especially when used by sports experts in commentaries and analysis. They are also a good way to garnish your daily conversations and written expressions.
From different sports around the world, we bring you sports idioms that will catch your attention, their origin, meaning, and usage. Sit back, relax and go through them.
Top Sports Idioms, their Meaning, Origin, and Example
| S/N | Idioms & Sports of Origin | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Across the board – from cards | The same for everyone | My will must be shared across board. |
| 2 | At this stage in the game – any sport | At a particular point in the game | We can’t manage as little as a draw at this stage in the game. |
| 3 | The ball is in your court – from tennis | It’s time to take up the initiative | I have fulfilled my own part; the ball is in your court now. |
| 4 | Bark up the wrong tree – from hunting | You are holding onto the wrong person or idea | I think you’re barking up the wrong tree by casting aspersions on the legislature. |
| 5 | Blow the competition away – any sport | To win a contest with so much ease | If you keep up with our training schedule, you will blow the competition away. |
| 6 | Call the shots – from billiards | To make the decisions | No one but Fredick will determine when to call the shots. |
| 7 | Chip in – from gambling | Making an addition to what has been said or done earlier. | Apart from humility, I will also chip in that discipline is key in our team. |
| 8 | Down to the wire – from horse racing | Close to the end | We are already down to the wire, we can’t afford to slip. |
| 9 | Front runner – from track | One who the odds favour | Michy is a front runner for the movie role. |
| 10 | Get a head start – from horse racing | Starting before others | They gave the aged a head start in the run for cancer treatment. |
| 11 | Get into the full swing – from tennis | Getting used to an activity | I need a week to get into the full swing of things. |
| 12 | Give something/someone a fair shake – from gambling | Giving something a fair try | You never gave the job a fair shake before quitting. |
| 13 | Get a second wind – from sailing | Getting reenergized after exhaustion | I was down with exhaustion but I got a second wind after I passed the hill. |
| 14 | Give it your best shot – from hunting | Try the much you can | Let’s give it our best shot, who knows, we might get a win this time. |
| 13 | Give one a run for one’s money – from horse racing | Giving your all you’ve got to defeat an opponent | I know I am the underdog here, but I will give you a run for your money tonight. |
| 14 | Go overboard – from sailing | Do or say more than necessary | I have warned that you should not go overboard when complaining about your teacher. |
| 15 | Go to bat for someone – from baseball | To defend someone vehemently | Wood is asking for a salary increase, and I’m going to go to bat for him this time around. |
| 16 | Have the upper hand – from cards | To stand a better chance of winning | Real Madrid have the upper hand in the league this season. |
| 17 | Hit below the belt – from martial arts | To do or say something that is considered a foul play | Tyson hit below the belt when he bit Holyfield. |
| 18 | Hit a snag – from boating | To encounter a problem | The game was going in our favor until we hit a snag with the red cards. |
| 19 | Hold all the aces – from cards | Expected to win a contest | The German Shepperd hold all the aces when it comes to the guarding the family entrance. |
| 20 | Big shot – from hunting | An important or very successful person | All the big shots from Google are pragmatic leaders. |
| 21 | Jump the gun – from track | Start too early | I guess I jumped the gun for coming by 5 am. |
| 22 | keep one’s head above water – from swimming | Try not to fall behind in work or other duties | My desk is full, I hardly keep my head above water . |
| 23 | Learn the ropes – from sailing | Understand new things gradually | The first week on the job demands that you learn the ropes. |
| 24 | Let her rip – from boating | To go faster | Over there is the computer, giver way, Let her rip. |
| 25 | Level playing field – any sport | Everyone has an equal chance | Our academy is a level playing field for teens who want to develop in sports. |
| 26 | Long shot – from hunting | A very difficult goal to attain | Getting a sports car not is a long shot. |
| 27 | Make the cut – any sport | To be chosen to be part of a team or group | I didn’t get a call from the company, so I’m sure I won’t make the cut. |
| 28 | Neck and neck – horse racing | To be in a close tie with someone | Ronaldo and Messi are neck and neck in the game of football. |
| 29 | No sweat – any sport | No problem/challenges | I told Lizy it was no sweat for us to enroll in the gym |
| 30 | Not up to par – from golf | Not good enough for a job or position | You won’t get a call because your CV isn’t up to par for the coding position. |
| 31 | To be off base – from baseball | Not making the right remark | You were way off base when you insulted her father. |
| 32 | On target – from darts | Following the right track | We are pretty much on target to meet our goals this month. |
| 33 | On the ball – from baseball | Being capable | The new writer is really on the ball when it comes to sports articles. |
| 34 | Out of someone’s league – from team sport | Not good enough | We would have employed you but you are out of our league. |
| 35 | Par for the course – from golf | Something that is expected | Waiting in line is par for the course in the bank these days. |
| 36 | Plenty of other fish in the sea – from fishing | There are many other opportunities | I know you love your job, but remember there are plenty of other fish in the sea. |
| 37 | Race against time – from track | When you are behind schedule/time | Trying to get at him right now is a race against time |
| 38 | Settle a score with someone – any sport | To settle your differences with someone. | My brother wants to settle the score with that guy who kicked my ball inside the bush yesterday. |
| 39 | Shot in the dark – from hunting | A guess work | I you can’t land the job, your answers were shots in the dark. |
| 40 | Skate on thin ice – from skating | To take a risk | You’re skating on thin ice by not going for rehearsals as our master instructed.. |
| 41 | Get the ball rolling – ball sports | begin something | Everyone must be in attendance tomorrow so we can get the ball rolling. |
| 42 | Step up to the plate – from baseball | To take responsibility | When you get things wrong, step up to the plate and apologize. |
| 43 | Take the bull by the horns – from bull fighting | Accept the challenge and try to conquer | I can’t afford not to take the bull by the horns in New York City. |
| 44 | Throw in the towel – from boxing | To succumb to a challenge | If they continue their line of argument, we will have to throw in the towel. |
| 45 | Time out – any sport | Break time | Let’s take some time out and grab some rest, then continue afterwards. |
| 46 | Two strikes against – from baseball | You only have one chance remaining | Henry is going to be fired in no time. He already has two strikes against her for coming in late. |
| 47 | Under the table – from gambling | To do something illegally | I don’t have a work permit, so I operate under the table. |
| 48 | Win hands down – gambling | easy victory | Their key players were missing so we won hands down. |
| 49 | Down and Out – from boxing | Lacking in energy, deflated and defeated | A lot of fans thought Garcia was down and out but he rallied back to win the bout. |
| 50 | To drop the gloves – from Ice hockey | To start a fight | In the middle of the game, Rooney dropped the gloves and knocked Rose out cold. |
Think we failed to mention some top sports idioms, please drop a comment about them.
