| 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. |
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 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 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 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. |
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. |
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. |
A balls up. For example:- He forgot his visuals, so the presentation was a complete balls up. |
A bad mistake or shoddy job. |
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 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 boot For example:- They gave him the boot after he failed in his last project. |
To be fired or let go from an organization. |
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 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 |
The rub of the green. For example:- France had the rub of the green when the referee didn't spot that handball. |
To be lucky especially in a sport or pastime played on a green surface. |
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 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. |
Knock yourself out. For example:- Me: Can I drive today? |
Used to give permission to someone to do something. |
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 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. |
Saving grace For example:- They lost 10:0, their only saving grace was that they tried hard. |
Some good quality that makes you like something or someone although you do not like anything else about them. |
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. |
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. |
| More idioms and sayings | |