Sports Idioms• Phrases from sports that have become

idioms in common daily usage. • They have meanings independent of sports.• Often used by those with little knowledge of

these games.

CAN YOU SPOT THE SPORTS IDIOM?

THIS IS JOSE MOURINO.HI! JOSE!

JOSE IS “THE SPECIAL ONE”! JOSE IS A FOOTBALL CLUB MANAGER.HE IS THE MANAGER OF CHELSEA FC.

THIS IS JURGEN KLOPP.HI! JURGEN!

JURGEN IS ALSO A FOOTBALL CLUB MANAGER. HE IS THE MANAGER OF BORUSSIA DORTMUND.

THIS IS ARSENE WENGER.ARSENE IS “THE PROFESSOR”.

HE IS ALSO A FOOTBALL CLUB MANAGER. HE IS THE MANAGER OF ARSENAL FC.

Jose: Hey Jurgen, have you heard the latest?Jurgen: Yeah, they’re looking for a manager again. Seems like the goal posts have been moved on him.Jose: Yeah…Moyes was on a sticky wicket. Wasn’t really a level playing field for him.

JOSE JURGEN

MOVING THE GOAL POSTSIf you move the goal posts half way through a game it changes the original aim of the game for the players. This means to change the aim or rules after something has started.

STICKY WICKETAfter rain it is difficult to play cricket as the ground or the grass is sticky. This means an awkward situation.

LEVEL PLAYING FIELDRefers to the game being fair if both teams are evenly matched in terms of experience, quality of players and other factors. This means a fair situation.

Jurgen: The board said that he wasn’t up to par and asked him to resign but he told them he wasn’t ready to throw in the towel so they sacked him!Jose: No way…that’s just not cricket. So who do you think’ll get it this time?

JOSE JURGEN

TO THROW IN THE TOWELWhen a boxer is in trouble the fight can be stopped by the trainer by throwing a towel into the boxing ring. This therefore means to give up.

IT’S JUST NOT CRICKETCricket is seen as a very gentlemanly, fair game and therefore something is seen as unfair if we use this expression.

Jurgen: Apparently, Andre has applied for it.Jose: Well, that’s par for the course. Any other serious contenders?

JOSE JURGENANDRE

PAR FOR THE COURSE / ON A PAR WITHPar is the normal number of strokes that it takes to get round a golf course. Therefore this means what is normal or expected.

Jurgen: I think Harry has a chance, his work at Spurs really impressed me.Jose: Seriously?? The man is only good for the S-League!Jurgen: Well, that’s a bit below the belt even if he’s not up to par.

JOSE JURGENHARRY

BELOW THE BELTRefers to a low illegal punch in a match. This means something is unfair or not following the rules.

NOT UP TO PARThis is below the expected level of achievement.

Jose: I’ve got inside news it’s going to be Giggs.Jurgen: No, you’re backing the wrong horse there; he’d never go into management

JOSE JURGENGIGGS

BACKING THE WRONG HORSE

Refers to betting money on the wrong horse. This means making a bad or inappropriate choice.

Jose: Hmmmm…Ancelotti from Real Madrid! Hard working, respected by the players and the board love him!

JOSE JURGEN

Jurgen: Too true, horses for courses I say!Jose: It could be neck and neck between him and Andre; and I think Andre is on a par with him in experience. So Jurgen, what are you up to?

JOSE JURGEN

HORSES FOR COURSESRefers to owners needing to choose the right horse for the right race course. This means different people are suited to different things or situations.

NECK AND NECK

Refers to when the horses are side by side. This means exactly even in competition or comparison.

Arsene: Hi Jurgen, ready to go?Jurgen: Sorry Jose, catch you later…going to grab a pint with Arsene.Jurgen (to Arsene): Thanks Arsene, saved by the bell, didn’t want to tell him that I’ve applied for the job!”

JOSE JURGENARSENE

SAVED BY THE BELL

Refers to the bell ringing at the end of each round which temporarily stops the fight. This means to get out of a difficult situation at the last minute.

THANKS FOR STAYING AWAKE…YOU’VE BEEN A GREAT AUDIENCE