| Idiom / Saying |
Explanation |
| A ballpark figure (actually a baseball term, but widely used in
business in the UK too) For example:-
I don't need an exact quotation, just give me a ballpark figure. |
Rough estimate. |
| The ball's in someone's court For example:-
Well I gave them all the information I could, and now the ball's in
their court. |
To have to do something before any progress can be made in a
situation. |
| To be bowled over (cricket) For example:-
I went to see his latest exhibition, it really bowled me over. |
To astonish or overwhelm.
Lit: To knock both of the bails off the wicket |
| To be on the ball For example:-
You need to be on the ball with this customer, he's very clever. |
To be quick to understand and react to things. |
| To beat (someone) to the punch (boxing) For example:-
We have to get this new product out before our rivals beat us to the
punch. |
To make the first decisive move in a situation. |
| To get the ball rolling.
For example:-
If we don't get the ball rolling on this project soon we won't be
able to deliver on time. |
To get something started. |
| To get the boot For example:-
They gave him the boot after he failed in his last project. |
To be fired or let go from an organization. |
| To give it your best shot For example:-
Whether you pass or fail in the test at least you'll know you gave it
your best shot. |
To put forth your best effort. |
| To have get-up-and-go. For example:-
I can't play football any more. My get up and go has got up and gone.
|
To have a high personal energy level.
|
| To go the distance (boxing) For example:-
No matter what you say about him, he really went the distance on his
last project. No one could have done more. |
To carry through a course of action to completion. |
| To hit below the belt (boxing) For example:-
They hit the workers below the belt when they closed the factory
gates without any warning. |
To act unfairly or unscrupulously. Lit: An illegal move in boxing |
| It's not cricket
For example:-
It's not cricket to steal someone's web site. |
If someone's behaviour or actions are not cricket, they are not
honourable or moral. |
| To jockey yourself into position. (Horseracing)
For example:-
He got the promotion after jockeying himself into position. |
To put yourself into a good position to win something. |
| To keep your eye on the ball. For example:-
You'll need to keep your eye on the ball on this project, the
technology available is moving so quickly. |
To remain alert. |
| To kick something around. For example:-
Let's just kick a few ideas around and see what we come up with. |
To pass an idea from person to person.
Lit: Passing the ball.
|
| To kick it into touch. For example:-
Before we waste any more time on this, I suggest we just kick it into
touch, it's just not going to work. |
To cancel or quit something.
Lit: To gain ground or to defend your team.
|
| To kick off. For example:-
We got out of the pub before it all kicked off and the fists started
flying. |
To start trouble or fight.
Lit: Start the game.
|
| To let the side down For example:-
When Beckham missed that penalty he really let the side down. |
To fail when others are relying on you. |
|
|
| To (make a) pitch for something
For example:-
He pitched the idea at us, but we turned him down. |
To try to persuade people to support you or give you something. |
| To move the goalposts For example:-
We'll never reach an agreement if they keep moving the goalposts.
|
To make unfair changes without warning. |
| No holds barred (wrestling) For example:-
They played rough in the negotiations, no holds barred. |
With all restrictions relaxed. |
| To play away from home For example:-
She asked for a divorce when she found out he'd been playing away for
home. |
To have an affair.
Lit: To play at the oppositions ground. |
| To play ball For example:-
We'll all achieve much more if we just play ball. |
To agree to do what someone asks you to do, in the way someone else
wants you to do it. |
| To play it safe For example:-
You'll never be truly successful if you always play it safe. |
To be careful and avoid any risk |
| To be saved by the bell (boxing)
For example:-
The authorities arrested Chile's Gen. Augusto Pinochet, but he was
saved by the bell of old age. |
To be saved from misfortune or unpleasantness by something.
Lit: When an opponent was knocked out and the bell rang before the
count was completed the person was not out. |
| To score a tie-breaker For example:-
|
The final thing / point that breaks an even-scored game or other
event.
|
| To score an own goal For example:-
He scored a bit of an own goal when he increased the rate. They
decided he was just too expensive and used someone else. |
To make a problem for yourself.
Lit: To score in your own net - really ugly. |
| To throw in the towel (boxing)
For example:-
The union decided to throw in the towel when they realised they
weren't going to win any more concessions. |
To surrender, admit defeat.
Lit: To signal surrender by throwing the towel into the ring. |
| A whole new ball game
For example:-
I'd done a lot of kayaking in the UK, but the rivers in the French
Alps were a whole new ball game. |
A completely different situation, often one which is difficult or
which you know little about.
|
| To win by a nose (horse racing) For example:-
Our bid for that contract was won by a nose. There really wasn't much
difference between us. |
To succeed by a very narrow margin. |