20 Idioms based on Sports
Click on any idiom for more information, including example sentences, notes and quizzes.
These are English idioms based on sport, sports and sporting events. You can also try this Sport Idioms Quiz
Idioms
a ballpark figure | a ballpark estimate
If you give a ballpark figure or a ballpark estimate, you give a number which you think is fairly close to the actual one.
ahead of the game
You are ahead of the game if you have an advantage over your competitors in any activity in which you try to do better than others, such as in business, academia, sports, etc.
another string to your bow
If you have another string to your bow, you have another way of making a living.
behind the eight ball
Informal
If you're behind the eight ball, you're in a difficult or dangerous position.
get off on the wrong foot
If you get off on the wrong foot, you start something poorly, or begin with a mistake.
jump through hoops | go through hoops
You can say you had to "jump through hoops" or "go through hoops" if you had to complete a lot of tasks before being permitted to do something.
no holds barred
If something is done with no holds barred, it's done without restriction, rules or restraint.
plain sailing
If something is plain sailing, it's very easy to do and there are no problems to overcome.
quick off the mark
If you are quick off the mark, you are quick to react to an event or an opportunity.
run rings around | run circles around
If you run rings around someone, or run circles around them, you do something much better than they do.
skate on thin ice
If you're skating on thin ice, you're doing something risky, or you're in a situation that could quickly become dangerous.
the ball's in your court
If someone you're negotiating with says "the ball's in your court", they think it's your turn to make a move or make an offer.
the name of the game
You can say something is the name of the game if it's the most important thing you need to know or to have in order to succeed at something.
wide of the mark
If something is wide of the mark, it isn't true or accurate, or it misses the target.
You can't win them all.
Something you can say after you, or someone else, loses a contest or fails to achieve something (said to make losing seem not so bad).
