Sports Idioms in Everyday Speech
Instructions: Decode the meanings of common phrases that started on the playing field — from "the ball is in your court" to "down to the wire," these sporty sayings pop up everywhere in daily conversation!
- 1.
When someone says "the ball is in your court," what do they mean?
AIt is now your turn to take action or make a decisionBYou should practice more before trying againCThe situation has become too complicated to handleDSomeone else will take care of the problem - 2.
If a plan goes "down to the wire," what is happening?
AThe plan has been cancelled at the last momentBSomething is not decided until the very last secondCA decision was made quickly and easilyDThe project is running well ahead of schedule - 3.
When you "touch base" with a colleague, what are you doing?
AArguing with them about a disagreementBBriefly checking in or making contact with themCAsking them to cover for you at workDFormally introducing yourself for the first time - 4.
If someone tells you to "step up to the plate," they want you to:
ABring food to share at the gatheringBAccept responsibility and take action when neededCMove closer so you can hear them betterDApologize for a mistake you made - 5.
What does it mean when someone says they "dropped the ball"?
AThey deliberately quit a project to let others take overBThey made a mistake or failed to follow through on a responsibilityCThey passed an important task on to a more qualified personDThey successfully completed a very difficult assignment - 6.
When a salesperson says an offer is "a whole new ball game," what do they mean?
AThe situation has changed so completely that everything must be reconsideredBThe price has been lowered to make it more affordableCThey are willing to negotiate furtherDThe product is brand new and just arrived in the store - 7.
If you "hit it out of the park," you have:
ACaused an argument that got out of handBAchieved something exceptionally wellCLeft a social event earlier than expectedDMade a very costly financial mistake - 8.
What does "par for the course" mean in everyday conversation?
AA result that is much better than anyone expectedBA situation that is typical or exactly what one would expectCA problem that requires an expert to solveDAn outcome that turned out to be surprisingly disappointing - 9.
When someone is described as a "front runner" in an election, it means they are:
AThe candidate who is currently leading or favored to winBThe first candidate to officially announce their campaignCA newcomer who surprised everyone with a strong startDA candidate who refuses to debate the other competitors - 10.
If negotiations are said to be "in the home stretch," what stage are they at?
AJust getting started with plenty of work aheadBStalled and unlikely to reach a conclusion soonCNearing the end and approaching a final conclusionDBeing reviewed by outside experts before continuing - 11.
To "run interference" for someone in a business setting means to:
ASecretly report their activities to managementBHelp clear obstacles or distractions so they can do their workCCompete directly against them for the same promotionDVolunteer to take on their least enjoyable tasks - 12.
What sport gave us the phrase "jump the gun," meaning to act too hastily?
ABasketballBTrack and field (sprint racing)CBoxingDPolo - 13.
When a manager says a new employee is "still in training wheels territory," which sport or activity is the phrase rooted in?
AHorse racingBCycling (learning to ride a bicycle)CGymnasticsDSwimming - 14.
The phrase "give and take" — meaning mutual compromise — is most directly borrowed from which sport?
ATennisBHorse racingCBoxingDRowing - 15.
When people say a long project finally "went the distance," the idiom originally came from which sport?
AMarathon runningBBoxingCLong-distance swimmingDGolf