Sport idioms
1. Match each idiom to its definition.
1. call the shots a) do something before the appropriate time
2. go to bat for someone b) give up
3. know the ropes c) to be in a close tie with someone
4. throw in the towel d) do something risky
5. bark up the wrong tree e) make the decisions
6. hit below the belt f) not having full brain capacity
7. jump the gun g) an expected circumstance
8. neck and neck h) to get the wrong person or idea
9. be par for the course i) do or say something that is very unfair or cruel
10. not playing with a full deck j) to have deep knowledge how to do an activity
11. skate on thin ice k) everyone has an equal chance
12. a level playing field l) make a mistake
13. drop the ball m) defend somebody
2. Try to match each sport to an idiom.
horse-racing, sailing, skating, hunting, bowling, card games, boxing, billiard, any field sports,
golf, track and field (athletics), martial arts, baseball
3. Use some of the idioms you have just learned to fill in the gaps.
1. Waiting in line is ……… ….. ….. …….... at Christmas time.
2. You're ………. ……… …… …… by lying to the teachers about your homework.
3. I think you're ……… ……. ….. ………. …….. by asking Matt for money, he is
broke.
4. While our boss is on vacation, Tom will ………. ……… ………. He will make
decisions.
5. Peter was ……….. …….. …….. …….. when she called Tom a nerd.
6. For God's sake don't ………. ……. ………. on this - we're relying on you.
7. Andy is asking for a salary increase, and I will ……… ….. ……. …. him if the boss
says no.
8. I can’t pass the driving exam, I’ve tried it three times, I think I will ………. …….
…. ……
call the shots
go to bat for someone
know the ropes
throw in the towel
bark up the wrong tree
hit below the belt
jump the gun
neck and neck
be par for the course
not playing with a full deck
skate on thin ice
a level playing field
drop the ball
javelin throwing
bungee jumping
diving
judo
volleyball
basketball
sailing
discus throwing
foosball
Have you ever been in a situation when you were about to throw in the towel, but finally
you finally didn’t? What happened?
Who would you go to the mat for? Why are they worth defending?
Do you always play fair, or is it necessary to hit below the belt sometimes?
Have you ever dropped the ball when given an opportunity? How did you feel to mess up
like that?
Have you ever been in a situation when you were about to throw in the towel, but finally
you finally didn’t? What happened?
Who would you go to the mat for? Why are they worth defending?
Do you always play fair, or is it necessary to hit below the belt sometimes?
Have you ever dropped the ball when given an opportunity? How did you feel to mess up
like that?
Have you ever been in a situation when you were about to throw in the towel, but finally
you didn’t? What happened?
Who would you go to the mat for? Why are they worth defending?
Do you always play fair, or is it necessary to hit below the belt sometimes?
Have you ever dropped the ball when given an opportunity? How did you feel to mess up
like that?
Have you ever been in a situation when you were about to throw in the towel, but finally
you finally didn’t? What happened?
Who would you go to the mat for? Why are they worth defending?
Do you always play fair, or is it necessary to hit below the belt sometimes?
Have you ever dropped the ball when given an opportunity? How did you feel to mess up
like that?
Have you ever been in a situation when you were about to throw in the towel, but finally
you finally didn’t? What happened?
Who would you go to the mat for? Why are they worth defending?
Do you always play fair, or is it necessary to hit below the belt sometimes?
Have you ever dropped the ball when given an opportunity? How did you feel to mess up
like that?
Have you ever been in a situation when you were about to throw in the towel, but finally
you finally didn’t? What happened?
Who would you go to the mat for? Why are they worth defending?
Do you always play fair, or is it necessary to hit below the belt sometimes?
Have you ever dropped the ball when given an opportunity? How did you feel to mess up
like that?
Have you ever been in a situation when you were about to throw in the towel, but finally
you didn’t? What happened?
Who would you go to the mat for? Why are they worth defending?
Do you always play fair, or is it necessary to hit below the belt sometimes?
Have you ever dropped the ball when given an opportunity? How did you feel to mess up
like that?
Have you ever been in a situation when you were about to throw in the towel, but finally
you finally didn’t? What happened?
Who would you go to the mat for? Why are they worth defending?
Do you always play fair, or is it necessary to hit below the belt sometimes?
Have you ever dropped the ball when given an opportunity? How did you feel to mess up
like that?
