Athletes often use special phrases called idioms to talk about sports and competition. These idioms are fun ways to describe actions and feelings during games or practice. They help make talking about sports more interesting and easier to understand.
In this article, we will learn about 30 common idioms for athletes. You will see what each idiom means and how to use it in a sentence. This will help you understand sports better and even use these phrases yourself.
Idioms for Athletes
1. Down to the wire
Meaning: Something that happens at the last possible moment.
Samples: The game was tied and went down to the wire. / The coach made his decision down to the wire.
To Put it Another Way: It was decided at the very end. / Everything waited until the last moment.
2. Hit a home run
Meaning: To do something very well or succeed.
Samples: She hit a home run on her first basketball game. / Our team hit a home run with that winning goal.
To Put it Another Way: We did a great job. / It was a big success.
3. On the ball
Meaning: To be alert and ready.
Samples: The goalie was really on the ball during the match. / You need to be on the ball to catch the pass.
To Put it Another Way: Pay close attention. / Be ready for anything.
4. Throw in the towel
Meaning: To give up or quit.
Samples: After losing three games, the team didn’t throw in the towel. / He almost threw in the towel, but then kept playing.
To Put it Another Way: Stop trying. / Quit the game.
5. Out of left field
Meaning: Something unexpected.
Samples: His sudden goal came out of left field. / That idea was out of left field and surprised everyone.
To Put it Another Way: It was a surprise. / Nobody saw it coming.
6. Step up to the plate
Meaning: To take responsibility or try harder.
Samples: It was time for her to step up to the plate in the final match. / The captain stepped up to the plate and led the team.
To Put it Another Way: Take charge. / Do your best.
7. Drop the ball
Meaning: To make a mistake.
Samples: He dropped the ball on that easy catch. / Don’t drop the ball when you pass the ball.
To Put it Another Way: Make an error. / Fail to do something right.
8. Call the shots
Meaning: To be the leader or make decisions.
Samples: The coach called the shots during the game. / She called the shots for the team strategy.
To Put it Another Way: Be in charge. / Make the decisions.
9. Get the ball rolling
Meaning: To start something.
Samples: Let’s get the ball rolling on practice drills. / The team got the ball rolling with a quick goal.
To Put it Another Way: Begin. / Start things moving.
10. On the ropes
Meaning: Close to losing or failing.
Samples: Our team was on the ropes but came back to win. / He was on the ropes after the tough match.
To Put it Another Way: Almost defeated. / In trouble but still fighting.
11. Full court press
Meaning: Using a lot of effort to pressure someone.
Samples: The team used a full court press to win the game. / They played with a full court press all night.
To Put it Another Way: Work hard to stop the other team. / Put on strong pressure.
12. Throw a curveball
Meaning: To surprise or confuse someone.
Samples: The referee threw a curveball with a strange call. / That move threw a curveball at the other team.
To Put it Another Way: Surprise. / Do something unexpected.
13. Out of your league
Meaning: Something too difficult or advanced.
Samples: That tournament is out of our league. / She felt the other players were out of her league.
To Put it Another Way: Too hard for you. / Not your level yet.
14. Hit the ground running
Meaning: To start something quickly and with energy.
Samples: The team hit the ground running at the start of the season. / He hit the ground running after joining the team.
To Put it Another Way: Start fast. / Begin with energy.
15. In the ballpark
Meaning: Close to the correct amount or idea.
Samples: Your guess about the score is in the ballpark. / The final time was in the ballpark of what we expected.
To Put it Another Way: Almost right. / Near the target.
16. Blow the whistle
Meaning: To stop something or point out a rule break.
Samples: The referee blew the whistle for a foul. / He blew the whistle when someone cheated.
To Put it Another Way: Stop the play. / Call out a mistake.
17. Keep your eye on the ball
Meaning: Stay focused on the goal.
Samples: Keep your eye on the ball during the game. / She kept her eye on the ball and scored.
To Put it Another Way: Focus on what’s important. / Don’t lose attention.
18. In the home stretch
Meaning: Near the end of a task or race.
Samples: We are in the home stretch of the season. / The last game was in the home stretch of the tournament.
To Put it Another Way: Almost finished. / Near the end.
19. Drop kick
Meaning: To kick the ball after dropping it to the ground.
Samples: He scored a drop kick in the football game. / The player used a drop kick to pass the ball.
To Put it Another Way: Kick after dropping. / A special kind of kick.
20. Take it on the chin
Meaning: To accept a loss or trouble without giving up.
Samples: The team took it on the chin after losing but kept trying. / He took it on the chin when he missed the shot.
To Put it Another Way: Accept defeat. / Stay strong after failure.
21. Knock it out of the park
Meaning: To do something very well.
Samples: She knocked it out of the park with her amazing goal. / Our team knocked it out of the park in the final game.
To Put it Another Way: Did great. / Succeeded big time.
22. Down for the count
Meaning: Defeated or unable to continue.
Samples: After that tough play, he was down for the count. / The team was down for the count but didn’t quit.
To Put it Another Way: Out of the game. / Can’t continue.
23. Jump the gun
Meaning: To start too soon.
Samples: The runner jumped the gun and was disqualified. / Don’t jump the gun; wait for the whistle.
To Put it Another Way: Start early. / Begin before the time.
24. Blow your shot
Meaning: To miss an opportunity.
Samples: He blew his shot by missing the easy basket. / Don’t blow your shot during the game.
To Put it Another Way: Miss your chance. / Fail at a moment.
25. Touch base
Meaning: To check in or communicate briefly.
Samples: The coach wanted to touch base before the game. / Let’s touch base after practice.
To Put it Another Way: Talk briefly. / Check in.
26. Get in shape
Meaning: To become fit and ready.
Samples: The team worked hard to get in shape before the season. / He got in shape by running every day.
To Put it Another Way: Get fit. / Prepare your body.
27. On the bench
Meaning: Not playing in the game; waiting to play.
Samples: She was on the bench during the first half. / He stayed on the bench until the coach called him.
To Put it Another Way: Waiting to play. / Not on the field.
28. Hit the brakes
Meaning: To stop or slow down suddenly.
Samples: The player hit the brakes to avoid the defender. / We had to hit the brakes when the ball went out of bounds.
To Put it Another Way: Stop quickly. / Slow down fast.
29. Call time out
Meaning: To stop the game for a short break.
Samples: The coach called time out to talk strategy. / We called time out when the team needed rest.
To Put it Another Way: Pause the game. / Take a short break.
30. Keep your head in the game
Meaning: Stay focused on what you are doing.
Samples: Keep your head in the game and don’t get distracted. / She kept her head in the game and scored the winning goal.
To Put it Another Way: Stay focused. / Don’t lose attention.
Find the Topics: Idioms for Athletes
Last Saturday, our school soccer team had a big game. At first, the players felt nervous because everything went down to the wire. But the captain told everyone to keep their heads in the game and focus. The goalie was really on the ball, saving every shot.
During the match, one player tried to step up to the plate and score a goal. But he dropped the ball when he missed the easy pass. The coach wasn’t happy and decided to call time out to help the team plan better.
After the break, the team started to get the ball rolling with stronger passes. A surprise goal came out of left field, and the crowd cheered loudly. The other team tried a full court press, but our players didn’t give up.
In the last minutes, everyone was on the ropes, but the captain told them not to throw in the towel. Finally, one player knocked it out of the park by scoring the winning goal. It was a great win!
Your task: Find and list all 8 idioms used in the story above.
Answer Key
- Down to the wire
- Keep your head in the game
- On the ball
- Step up to the plate
- Drop the ball
- Call time out
- Get the ball rolling
- Out of left field
Conclusion
Idioms for athletes help make talking about sports more interesting. These phrases show feelings, actions, and moments in games in a fun way. Learning these idioms can help you understand sports better and use new words when you talk about playing or watching games.
Using idioms like “keep your head in the game” or “step up to the plate” can make your stories about sports more exciting. Remember, practice and focus are important both in sports and in using new language.
