SPORTS IDIOMS | You might be using these idioms per diem. But most certainly, you have to question yourself how these idioms came into existence. Here’s a list of some commonly used Sports Idioms and their point of origin.
“Down to the wire”
Origin: Horse Racing – A wire was used in a Horse Racing event at the finish line to denote the end of the race comes down to the wire.
What it means: denotes a situation whose outcome is not known until the very last minute.
“move the goalposts”
Origin: Football – The significance of a goalpost is to decide the fate of the game. Moving a goalpost on the field denotes bending of the rules according to one’s own wishes.
What it means: to change the rules in an event/situation by all unfair means.
“drop the gloves”
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Origin: Hockey – Refers to the players throwing off their gloves to fight with bare fists.
What it means: denotes fistfights; to engage in a fight.
“get the ball rolling”
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Origin: Ball Games – In certain ball games like skittles, a ball is used to begin the game.
What it means: to make something happen; to begin an event.
“knock for six”
Origin: Cricket – hitting a six and putting the crowd in awe.
What it means: to surprise someone.
“lead with one’s chin”
Origin: Boxing – refers to the boxer leaving out his chin unprotected by his hands during the bout.
What it means: to take a risk; behaving without any caution.
“win by a nose”
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Origin: Horse Racing – A victory so close that only the nose of the winning horse decided it.
What it means: to win by a very small difference.
“on the ropes”
Origin: Boxing – the act of the opponent being thrashed and made to fall on the ropes enclosing the boxing ring.
What it means: doing very badly and about to falter.
“saved by the bell”
Origin: Boxing – saving a loss during the bout just because of the bell.
What it means: escaping from a humiliating loss just at the brink of the moment elapsed time.
“slam-dunk”
Origin: Basketball – A shot in which the player rises to basket, forcefully attacks it by slamming the ball in.
What it means: a forceful move against someone.
“sticky wicket”
Origin: Cricket – Bad playing conditions caused due to unpleasant weather.
What it means: a punishing or strenuous situation.
“sucker punch”
Origin: Boxing – an unexpected punch delivered by the boxer.
What it means: to hit someone with a hard blow.
“throw in the towel”
Origin: Boxing – an act of throwing the sponge or towel into the boxing ring by the boxer’s trainer to stop the fight.
What it means: to accept defeat.
“roll with the punches”
Origin: Boxing – a boxer moves his body away from the force of the blow to lessen the impact.
What it means: to get used to or adjust to the difficulty of the circumstances.
“push it over the goal line”
Origin: American Football – Only when the ball crosses the line, it is considered as a goal.
What it means: to complete the job.
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